SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — The term Gold Star Family refers to families who have lost their loved ones in service. This Sunday, The Illinois State Fair celebrated veterans and those families.

Crystal Womack has been the gold star liaison for 9 years, and she said her main goal is keeping the soldiers' memories alive.

"It is truly my honor to work with these families," Womack said.

Womack said gold star has been around since World War II. When officers were deployed, the families placed a Blue Star flag on their door to let them know that their loved one was deployed at that time.

If they died in the line of duty, the Department of Defense would give the family a gold star flag to fly on their door. Everyone knew in the community that they had lost a hero.

"We take the opportunity at t

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