The Fairport Lift Bridge over the Erie Canal in Monroe County was among 15 New York landmarks designated to glow gold Sunday evening in honor of Gold Star Mothers and Families Day, according to a Sept. 27 announcement from Gov. Kathy Hochul. The announcement directed the lighting; it did not provide confirmation afterward that each landmark was illuminated.
The state also listed the New York State Fairgrounds' Main Gate and Expo Center among the sites selected for the tribute. Gold Star Mothers and Families Day falls on the final Sunday of September and honors families whose loved ones died in military service.
Hochul said the display was intended to recognize both fallen service members and the families who live with their loss. The governor's announcement named the Fairport bridge alongside landmarks elsewhere in the state, including the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, Grand Central Terminal's Pershing Square Viaduct and Albany's Empire State Plaza.
The Gold Star tradition dates to World War I. A gold star came to signify a service member who died while serving, and the designation remains a way to recognize the surviving family.
New York provides a Gold Star Parent Annuity and a MERIT Scholarship for eligible families. The state Department of Veterans' Services says benefits advisers can help families learn about those programs and other available support.
Families seeking information can call the department at 888-838-7697 or visit veterans.ny.gov. Eligibility and application requirements depend on the particular benefit.
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