Please click here to view the Social Security Administration's Survivor Forum (Power Point presentation): SSA.pdf

A Clarksville Now article recognized a Flag Retirement Ceremony held in Montgomery County Tennessee. Gold Star Wives attended the ceremony and a nice picture was taken of them.  Click here to view.

The membership of Gold Star Wives of America has elected new officers for 2019-2020. The new officers are:
President Nancy Menagh
Vice President Linda Cafferty
Secretary Judi Van Cleave
Treasurer Betty Crawford
Parliamentarian Tracey Koehlmoos
Historian Sun Benjamin
Chaplain Minnie Keyes

Thank you to all who ran for office and to everyone who cast their vote.

Click here to read this FEDweek article: https://www.fedweek.com/armed-forces-news/cbo-ending-widows-tax-would-increase-costs/

For "Military Times" : https://www.militarytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2019/06/27/bid-to-end-military-widows-tax-stalled-despite-congressional-promises/

Please click here to read the following opinion piece by military spouse Kristen Travis: https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2019/06/military-widows-need-our-support-pennlive-letters.html

https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2019/may/27/military-widows-seek-repeal-of-benefit-/?news-arkansas

The Gold Star Family Tax Relief Act, S.1370, passes in the Senate. 

Legislation in the House awaits action.

Read more about this at:

https://www.isakson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2019/5/isakson-applauds-senate-passage-of-bipartisan-legislation-to-provide-tax-relief-for-gold-star-families

Gold Star Wives coverage is on an unprecedented increase.

Coverage of Gold Star Wives issues were reported on WUSA9 (Washington, DC) with an article titled " 'There's been many days and nights that I shed tears over this' | Surviving military spouses battle for full benefits " and an accompanying video featuring several Gold Star Wives - see here.

The Daily Caller also published an article titled "Gold Star Wives Lobby Congress For Full Survivor Benefits" with several large pictures and details about pending legislation - see here.

ConnectingVets.com, part of Radio.com, covered the potential impact of the bill passing in that it would allow Gold Star Spouses to obtain DoD and VA benefits - see here.

Augusta Free Press covered an issue of importance to Gold Star Wives related to the changes in taxes and even quotes our President Crystal Wenum - see here.

Several Gold Star Wives are reported on in this Daily Press article titled "For families of the fallen, tax relief is in sight" - see here.

Corpus Christi Caller-Times reviews Memorial Day activities and mentions Gold Star Wives - see here.

Kxnet.com covers the tax issue as well in this video and article - see here.

The Lake Oswego Review has extensive coverage related to Memorial Day and Taya Kyle in particular the Chris Kyle Frog Foundation.  You can read more about this - see here.

Last (for now) but not least, there is an informative article at American Military News titled "Vet-founded Companions for Heroes has saved 3,300+ from suicide with shelter animal program" - see here.

     Vietnam Veteran In Memory Program

What is In Memory?

Since the Vietnam War ended, thousands of Vietnam veterans have died each year due to Agent Orange exposure, PTSD/suicide, cancer and other causes related to their service. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund’s (VVMF) In Memory program honors those who returned home from Vietnam and later died. 

The plaque on the grounds of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial site in Washington, D.C. that honors these veterans was dedicated in 2004 and reads:  In Memory of the men and women who served in the Vietnam War and later died as a result of their service. We honor and remember their sacrifice. 

In Memory was created in 1993 by the group - Friends of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. VVMF began managing the program and hosting the ceremony in 1999. More than 3,600 veterans have been added to the In Memory Honor Roll since the program began. To see all the honorees, please visit:  www.vvmf.org/honor-roll.

What's Included?

Having a veteran honored includes:

• An invitation to In Memory Weekend in Washington, D.C., which includes a touching ceremony on the site of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial where each honoree’s name is read aloud. If you are present, you may read the name. Each applicant also receives a printed personal tribute certificate with their veteran’s photo(s).

• As part of the In Memory Honor Roll, an online personal remembrance page is created for each honoree with their photo and biographical information. Family members can share the page and leave remembrances about their loved one. 

• VVMF’s mobile exhibit, The Wall That Heals, includes the digital photos of all In Memory honorees from the state where the exhibit is on display. 

• An invitation to join our Facebook group:  In Memory – Families of Vietnam Veterans lost to Agent Orange and PTSD. The group gives family and friends an online community to connect and share their stories.

How Do I Apply?

•   Fill out an online application or Download the In Memory application

WE ARE ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2020 PROGRAM

To have a loved one considered for the In Memory program, you must submit your application to VVMF by March 6, 2020.

What’s required?

• Completed application form

• Copy of military record that shows proof of service in Vietnam (Form DD214)

• Copy of the veteran’s death certificate

• Two clear photographs of the honoree (we recommend one photo from the Vietnam era and one photo that is more recent)

Examples of proof of service in Vietnam are listed on the DD214 as:

•   Vietnam Service Medal (VSM)

•   Vietnam Campaign Medal (VCM)

•   Vietnam Service Ribbon

If you do not have a copy of the DD214, military service records can be obtained from the National Archives Veterans Service Records. Visit www.archives.gov and click on “Veterans’ Service Records.”

If you have a question about the program or are experiencing difficulty with the application, contact VVMF at (202) 393-0090 or via e-mail at inmemory@vvmf.org.