Gold Star Family Memorials
Gold Star Family Memorials
Gold Star Family memorials honor the families of service members who lost their lives while serving in the United States Armed Forces. The term “Gold Star” dates back to World War I, when families displayed a service flag with a blue star for each family member serving in the military. If a service member was killed in action, the blue star was replaced with a gold star, symbolizing sacrifice for the cause of liberty and freedom.
In recent years, Hershel “Woody” Williams, Medal of Honor recipient, helped inspire a nationwide effort to ensure Gold Star Families would always have a place of recognition in their communities. Through the Woody Williams Foundation and other organizations, memorials honoring Gold Star Families have been built across the country. These memorials take many forms, including the Gold Star Family Memorial Monuments as well as other monuments and memorials dedicated to Gold Star Mothers, Gold Star Families, and surviving family members of fallen service members.
The Challenge
The challenge is to locate and photograph Gold Star Family memorials that honor the families of fallen service members. This includes Gold Star Family Memorial Monuments as well as other memorials specifically dedicated to Gold Star Families, Gold Star Mothers, or the families of those killed in action.
Tour of Honor Gold Star Finisher Levels
- Bronze – 10 different Gold Star memorials
- Silver – 20 different Gold Star memorials
- Gold – 30 different Gold Star memorials
- Woody Level – 50 different Gold Star memorials
Photo Requirements
Each submission must include:
- The qualifying monument
- Your motorcycle
- Rider flag (and passenger if applicable)
- Enough background to identify the location or a geotag-enabled photo
If the motorcycle cannot be included in the same photo, submit a second photo showing the motorcycle and rally flag in nearby designated parking.
Important Notes
- Some locations may have access restrictions such as military bases, museums, cemeteries, or limited visiting hours. Riders are responsible for determining access before visiting.
- Photos of buildings, gates, or restricted areas when access to the memorial is not available are not eligible for scoring.
- Riders are encouraged to submit new or previously undocumented Gold Star memorials for inclusion in the Tour of Honor list.
GPX File
- Revised 4/28/2026