Blue Star Mothers of America became official in March 1942, after Army Captain George Maines placed an article in a Flint, Michigan, newspaper requesting information about children serving in the Armed Forces. Over 600 moms responded and subsequently came together to create Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc.
From the Blue Star Service Flag, Blue Star Mothers of America took their name and chapters grew across America with the goal of supporting their military community, helping to build the morale of their deployed loved ones through care packages and providing visits and care for the wounded at home.
Gold Star Mothers of America, Inc., took their name from the gold star that replaced a blue one, and in 1929 became incorporated after inspiration from the story of Grace Seibold, a WWI mother who worked through her grief and sorrow after the loss of her son by visiting the wounded in hospitals and reaching out to other mothers who suffered the same grief.
The historical and proud significance of the Gold Star Flag was preceded by the Blue Star Flag designed and patented by Army Captain Robert Queissner during WWI. With two sons on the front lines, Captain Queissner began a tradition for families to signify the love, pride, and hope for children serving in war by hanging in household windows a flag with blue stars. As the death of a child came to families, a blue star was changed to gold.
What very few know today is that the last Sunday of September is officially Gold Star Mother's Day, as set forth in 1936 by Senate Joint Resolution 115.
The first chapter of Blue Star Mothers in North Carolina began as a group of Army moms in 2002 who came together through the Internet in a support group for moms with kids on active duty in the US Army. In May 2002, a small band of the group traveled to Washington, D.C., for events on Memorial Day Weekend. While there, the ladies met and were welcomed by the National Officers of the Blue Star Mothers.
After that meeting, Duckie Yates, a local Army mom, led the effort to form the first North Carolina chapter. In May of 2003, the group received its charter with Duckie as its first president.
Since then there have been more Chapters chartered within the state. We are the North Central NC 7 Chapter serving proudly along with our Blue Star sisters throughout the state.