by: Macy Salem & Collin Alekson
AA Communication Committee Members
The Gold Star Memorial Program was first introduced in 1947, at the Fourteenth National Convention in Stillwater, Oklahoma, by the National Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi. It was created to recognize brothers who were killed in action while serving our country during World War II. Then in 2007, Danielle Adams-Davis, a brother of the Zeta Sigma and Kappa Epsilon chapters, called on the National Council to find a way to honor current military members and brothers. Drawing inspiration from the Gold Star recognition from 1947, the program was expanded to honor both brothers and band members who have served our country. Members are recognized in the following manner:
Gold Star Memorial for Brothers who have passed while serving our country.
Blue Star Recognition for Brothers who are currently serving our country or are veterans.
Silver Star Memorial for Band members who have passed while serving our country.
White Star Recognition for Band members who are currently serving our country or are veterans.
The program as we know it now was first presented in 2007 at the National Convention in Orlando, Florida. Since then, brothers and band members have been honored at the subsequent National Conventions in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2023. All categories of recognition are honored by the recipients’ respective District Presidents.
The names of all the brothers and band members who were recognized at the 2023 National Convention are listed in the document below.
Thank you to the brothers and band members who have served and currently serve our country. Happy Veteran's Day!
