Seeing A Gold Star: What Sacrifice Means

I saw a gold star today. 

If you look around you can probably see a lot of stars. Stars come in different shapes, different sizes, and different colors. Stars can have different meanings or no meaning at all.

The gold star I saw had a white background with a red border.

This particular gold star I saw was small. It was attached to the name badge of a nurse.  I noticed it because I was looking for the name of this nurse. I was looking for her name because she was about to stick me with what looked like a very big needle and if I happened to pass out I wanted to know who I could blame.

Without thinking I said, “That star is gold.”  She just sheepishly grinned an uncomfortable grin and looked away.

Despite the large amount of blood she ended up taking from me, I managed to stay conscious. I never did read the name on her badge. Maybe because all I could see was that big needle, or maybe it was that gold star. I’ve seen several blue stars over the last few years but this is the first gold one I’ve seen someone wearing.

“I’m sorry for your loss,” I said. She just met my eyes and nodded. I found myself at a loss for words. I’m still at a loss for words.   

I had been feeling very proud of myself. After all, I had taken time out of my busy day to donate blood. I was feeling as though I had made a difference. Sacrificing my time and giving my blood to a person who I will never meet. A person who will never know it was me who gave them the blood they needed. Then I saw that gold star and it put things into perspective. It made me realize what the word sacrifice really means.

If you are not familiar with the gold star, it means a military family member was killed in action. For families who've made the ultimate sacrifice, displaying the banners year-round is a solemn way to honor and pay tribute to their loved one(s).

If you would like to know more about Gold Star families here are two websites where you can find more information:

• The National Gold Star Registry
• The Gold Star Family Committee

 People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.
--George Orwell—

Disclosure: Anthony D`Amico is the owner of Always Best Care of Central Suffolk, a non-medical home care & assisted living placement agency.