GOLD STAR

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Vancouver VFW Post 7824

Gold Star Families

Honoring the families of U.S. service members who died while serving our nation. Their loved ones' legacies remain part of our military community and will never be forgotten.

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Honor Through Remembrance

What the Gold Star represents

The Gold Star represents a family's loss and the nation's enduring gratitude. The tradition began with service flags: a blue star represented an immediate family member serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, and a gold star signified that the loved one died while serving.

A symbol carried by families

The Gold Star tradition dates to World War I, when military families displayed service banners in their homes. Each blue star represented a loved one serving in the Armed Forces. When a service member died, the family placed a gold star over the blue star so the community would understand the loss the family had experienced.

Today, the term Gold Star Family honors surviving loved ones and recognizes that a service member's sacrifice is also carried by parents, spouses, children, siblings, and other family members. The Gold Star is a symbol of remembrance, family sacrifice, and a grateful nation's continuing obligation to those left behind.

Read the Defense Department history

Post 7824 Family Tribute

Our Gold Star Families

This tribute recognizes Gold Star Families connected to VFW Post 7824 and remembers the service members whose legacies they carry. Family permission and the Post connection are confirmed before information is published.

Help us preserve these legacies

Family tributes are being collected and reviewed. Gold Star Family members and authorized representatives may use the form below to submit information for consideration.

Share a Legacy

Submit a Gold Star Family tribute

Submit information about a Gold Star Family or fallen service member connected to VFW Post 7824. Entries are sent to web@vfw7824.org for review and are not published automatically.

Fields marked with are required.

Your contact information
Optional. Include an area code.
Family tribute information
Enter the name exactly as the family wants it displayed.
Optional. Enter only wording the family approves for public display.
Optional. Share service information, a remembrance, or other details the family approves for public display. Please do not include private contact information or sensitive records. 0 of 2000 characters
Optional photograph
Optional. JPG, PNG, or WebP files only. Maximum recommended file size: 5 MB. Submit only photographs the family has authorized VFW Post 7824 to consider publishing.
Additional information for the webmaster
Optional. Use this area for clarification or information that is intended for the webmaster's review and is not intended for publication.
Permission and authorization
VFW Post 7824 will review all submissions before publication. The Post may contact the submitter to verify information or obtain clarification.
Privacy and submission information

Information submitted through this form is sent to web@vfw7824.org for review. VFW Post 7824 does not automatically publish form submissions.

Do not submit sensitive personal records through this form, including:

  • Social Security numbers
  • DD-214 documents
  • Medical records
  • Financial information
  • Private home addresses
  • Other sensitive personal information

Contact information supplied by the person submitting the tribute is for review and follow-up and should not be published as part of the family tribute unless separate permission is provided.

VFW Post 7824 Gold Star Families • Version 1.2.0 • Updated September 19, 2026