Governor Hochul directs 15 New York landmarks to shine gold for Gold Star Mothers and Families Day

Albany, New York – New York will mark Gold Star Mothers and Families Day with a statewide tribute, as 15 landmarks were directed to glow gold on Sunday evening, September 27, in honor of families who have lost loved ones during times of conflict.

Governor Kathy Hochul announced the lighting across the state as a way to recognize the mothers, parents and other family members who have carried the loss of service members who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

The annual observance takes place on the last Sunday of September. This year, the tradition will bring a familiar golden color to major buildings, bridges, transportation facilities and other landmarks from New York City to upstate communities.

“As New York remembers the bravery and strength of our fallen heroes — who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect their neighbors and dedicated their lives in public service — we recognize the resiliency and selflessness of their loved ones,” Governor Hochul said. “Today on Gold Star Mothers and Families Day, we honor those who raised heroes, shine a light on their sacrifices and know that the loss they endured will never be forgotten.”

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The gold lighting is more than a visual tribute. The tradition is connected to the history of Gold Star families and the way the nation has recognized military losses for more than a century.

The “Gold Star” tradition dates back to World War I. It became a symbol of the ultimate sacrifice made by members of the military and has since been associated with families whose loved ones died while serving the country.

Across the United States, government buildings and landmarks have been illuminated in gold as part of the annual observance. New York is continuing that tradition by placing some of its most recognizable sites in the spotlight.

Among the landmarks taking part are One World Trade Center and the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge. Other bridges scheduled to be illuminated include the Kosciuszko Bridge, the Franklin D. Roosevelt Mid-Hudson Bridge and the Fairport Lift Bridge over the Erie Canal.

Several important state buildings will also participate. They include the H. Carl McCall SUNY Building, the State Education Building, the Alfred E. Smith State Office Building and the buildings of Empire State Plaza.

The lighting will also extend to major transportation locations. Moynihan Train Hall, the MTA LIRR East End Gateway at Penn Station, Grand Central Terminal’s Pershing Square Viaduct and the Albany International Airport Gateway are among the sites included in the tribute.

The State Fairgrounds Main Gate and Expo Center and the Roosevelt Island Lighthouse will also be illuminated gold.

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New York officials say the annual event is intended not only to remember fallen service members but also to recognize the families who continue to live with their loss.

New York State Department of Veterans’ Services Commissioner Dr. Viviana M. DeCohen said the state’s responsibility toward Gold Star families extends beyond a single day of recognition.

“Under Governor Kathy Hochul’s steadfast leadership, New York continues to honor our Gold Star Mothers and Families not only with our words, but through our enduring commitment to stand beside them and preserve the legacies of those they love. As landmarks across our state shine in gold tonight, each light represents a life of service and sacrifice, a family whose love endures, and a grateful state that will never forget. We owe our Gold Star Families a debt that can never fully be repaid, but we can honor that sacrifice through our actions — by remembering their loved ones, speaking their names, sharing their stories and ensuring their families receive the care, respect, benefits, and support they have earned.”

Along with the public tribute, New York provides programs designed to assist Gold Star parents who have lost children in military service.

The state’s Gold Star Parent Annuity program and the MERIT Scholarship are among the assistance programs available to eligible families. State officials have also worked with Gold Star organizations and County Veteran Service Organizations to increase awareness of available benefits and help families gain access to them.

The programs are part of a broader effort to provide continuing support rather than limiting recognition to ceremonies or memorial events.

For Gold Star parents seeking information about the Gold Star Parent Annuity or the MERIT Scholarship, Veterans Benefits Advisors with the New York State Department of Veterans’ Services are available to provide assistance.

Appointments can be scheduled by calling 888-838-7697 or through the department’s website.

The statewide illumination offers a highly visible reminder of the people behind the Gold Star designation. While the landmarks will shine for one evening, the observance is intended to recognize sacrifices that continue to affect families long after a service member’s death.

From major New York City transportation hubs to bridges and public buildings across the state, the gold lights will provide a common symbol of remembrance on Gold Star Mothers and Families Day.

For state officials, the annual observance is also an opportunity to reinforce the importance of remembering the service members themselves and making sure their families are not forgotten.

The tribute on September 27 therefore combines a public display of remembrance with ongoing state support. As New York landmarks take on their gold illumination, the focus remains on the mothers, parents and families whose loved ones gave their lives in service to the nation.