Dozens gathered in Pinellas County Sunday to honor those families whose sons and daughters gave the ultimate sacrifice.
A single gold star has such incredible meaning, and each star represents a mother or family whose son or daughter is a fallen hero.
"It's going on six years now and it still hurts," said Lydia Hansborough. "But at least I’m able to reach out to mothers that have also lost their son and daughter."
Hansborough carries a picture of her son on this American Gold Star Mother's Day. He son died of a heart attack five years ago while on active duty.
"I still miss him, but what can we do? We have to move forward," Hansborough said.
The mothers call events like the one at Oldsmar’s Veterans Park "comforting."
"It’s kind of a lonely place to be, and that's why American Gold Star Mothers the organization that I’m president of, was developed to bring together and comfort the Gold Star families in the state of Florida," said Toni Gross.
Gross not only organized the event, her son Frank is commemorated on a bench at the Oldsmar park.
Gross' son Corporal Frank Gross was killed in action in Afghanistan at age 25.
"A wonderful son when he was in Afghanistan and Fort Hood he called every day never failed to call," said Gross. "Was just very caring his family came first above all else."
Blue and Silver Star families were also honored at Sunday’s event. The Blue Star is for the sons and daughters still serving overseas, while the Silver Star is for those injured in the line of duty.
Gold Star Mother’s Day is always the last Sunday in September.