The Gold Star tradition began during one of the most challenging moments in American history: World War I. As thousands of service members left their homes to serve overseas, families searched for a meaningful way to show pride, support, and connection to their loved ones. Robert L. Queisser created the Blue Star Service Banner, a simple symbol placed in home windows where each blue star represented a family member actively serving in the military.

As the war continued, these banners became a familiar sight across communities. They created a shared symbol of hope and patriotism, allowing families to publicly show their connection to those serving. But when a service member died, the blue star was replaced with a gold star—a change that transformed the meaning of the banner from one of service and hope into one of remembrance and sacrifice.