Maj. Gen. James Bonner, commanding general of Fort Leonard Wood (MO), issued the following statement in recognition of Gold Star Spouses Day and encourages the public to thank a Gold Star Spouse for his/her bravery and sacrifice. Please click here to read Maj. Gen. Bonner's article.

117TH CONGRESS

1ST SESSION S. RES. 110

Designating April 5, 2021, as ‘‘Gold Star Wives Day”

March 15, 2021, Senator Richard Burr (NC) and Senator Joe Manchin (WV)  introduced a nonpartisan Senate Resolution designating  April 5, 2021 as “Gold Star Wives Day”. This resolution passed unanimously on the Senate floor.

“Whereas the Senate honors the sacrifices made by the spouses and families of the fallen members of the Armed Forces of the United States; Whereas Gold Star Wives of America, Inc. represents the spouses and families of the members and veterans of the Armed Forces of the United States who have died on active duty or as a result of a service-connected disability; Whereas the primary mission of Gold Star Wives of America, Inc. is to provide services, support, and friendship to the spouses of the fallen members and veterans of the Armed Forces of the United States…”.

Gold Star Wives of America, Inc. was organized in 1945, formed in New York City (NYC) by Marie Jordan Speer. GSW was originally called WWII Widows, later became federally chartered Gold Star Wives of America, Inc., with Eleanor Roosevelt as an original chartered member. As a result of the NYC Chapter, today there are 33 chapters located throughout the United States.

The organization of Gold Star Wives of America welcomes membership to all who meet the criteria. This organization does not discriminate against any person or persons on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity. For more information contact www.goldstarwives.org   

Dr. Vivianne Cisneros Wersel
Gold Star Wives of America, Inc. Public Relations
viwersel@yahoo.com

Naperville, IL: Plans are underway and funds are being raised to install a Hershel "Woody" Williams Gold Star Families Memorial Monument in spring 2021.

Please click here to read more about the installation: https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/naperville-sun/opinion/ct-nvs-decent-column-st-0131-20210130-guw6fr36sjekzahigfvdjb7k4a-story.html

DFAS has a new Survivor SBP Newsletter! Check out the first issue, with lots of news and helpful info for survivors/SBP annuitants. Learn all about the upcoming changes to the SBP-DIC offset, when you’ll get your tax statements, the new School Cert process, our helpful form tools and more! Get it here: https://go.usa.gov/x7eMc

Read all about the phased changes to the SBP-DIC Offset in the article "The Phased Elimination of the SBP-DIC Offset Begins in January of 2021"

The Department of Defense recently posted an article titled "Miller Establishes Task Force to Aid Gold Star Families":

Acting Defense Secretary Chris Miller virtually sat down with Gold Star families recently to discuss how the Defense Department can better support them.

Miller signed a memo in December 2020, designed to implement programs recognizing the sacrifices of these families and preserve the legacies of those killed.

"I was tremendously honored and humbled to sit with and listen to our Gold Star Family members," Miller said in a written statement. "They've taken personal tragedies and turned them into powerful stories of hope and healing for others."

Miller established the DOD Casualty Assistance Task Force to address concerns of Gold Star families and suggestions from them. Miller and his team coordinated closely with the office of the undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness on the task force.

"Taking care of our Gold Star Families is one of my top priorities; and I am focused on outcomes and actions to ensure that we are doing our utmost to support them," the acting secretary said.

Miller praised efforts within DOD to assist Gold Star families.

The families come from diverse backgrounds and situations and include moms, dads, husbands, wives who had a son/daughter/wife/husband killed in action, killed in training or by suicide.

In December 2020, a community gathered to lay wreaths at Kentucky Veterans Cemetery West. This Wreaths Across America event was made possible by Gold Star Wives of America, Inc. and veteran support organizations. Please click here for more detail from station WKDZ. 

Issues faced by Women Veterans.  GSW asks how families of Non active deaths can be better served.

Link to Facebook event (copy and paste into Google Chrome directly): https://www.facebook.com/15408433177/posts/10158192174163178/?d=n

The Gold Star Families Display was created by Gold Star Wife Jane Horton and is a permanent installation at the Pentagon. Please read more about the display and the event here: http://www.militaryspot.com/news/dedication-ceremony-pentagons-newest-permanent-display.

Chuck N. Baker, Veterans Reporter for Boulder City Review in Nevada, has the story.