American Gold Star Mothers, Inc (AGSM) (1928) is a private, nonprofit organization of American mothers who lost sons or daughters in service of the United States Armed Forces.  The term "Gold Star" originated during World War I when Americans displayed flags in their homes to show that they have a family member serving for the Armed Forces.  Blue serviceman were represented by a blue star and those who lost their lives in combat had a gold start stitched over the blue star in honor of their fallen loved ones.

 

The organization devotes their time and efforts to supporting other mothers and families who have lost their sons and daughters.  The membership criteria do not consider the place or time of military service and do not consider whether the circumstances of the death involved hostile conflict or not, and also allow membership for mothers of those missing in Action.

 

AGSM is made up of local chapters which are organized into departments. The State of New York Gold Star Mothers is led by by the President, Cindy Roberts who lost her daughter, SGT Kristie Roberts to suicide on August 21st, 2012.