COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The state of Ohio has a new way to honor the men and women who have given their lives for our country -- the "Gold Star" license plate.

It is just one of the many specialty plates available from the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

Some families said this one is the most important to them, NewsChannel5 partner ONN reported.

A number of families, including the Prazynski family, received the specialty plates Friday, which honors those killed while serving in the armed forces overseas.

JOhn Prazynski's son, Marine Lance Cpl. Taylor B. Prazynski of Lima Company, died three years ago this month in Iraq.

"It's amazing to me the number of people who don't understand what the gold star is," said Prazynski. "To recognize the families who have paid the price by losing a loved one, it's a great honor that they would do it this way."

Ohio Public Safety Director Henry Guzman is a Vietnam vet who also lost an uncle to war, so he and others like Mary Turner said the "Gold Star" plate is a golden memorial.

"It makes everybody know," said Turner, "They are working for us."

Ohio has more than 140 specialty license plates.

Usually a special fee pays for making the plate and the rest of the fee goes the charity the plate represents.