The Hershel "Woody" Williams Medal of Honor Foundation has requested that Gold Star Wives circulate information about their upcoming Gold Star Families Memorial Monument Groundbreakings and Dedications. They have asked our members to consider attending these events.

Below is the information regarding the dates and locations of the events along with the primary contact information for each GSFMM Project.

Upcoming GSFMM Dedication Event(s):

October 16: Dayton, OH
Primary Contact: LTJG Matthew J. Previts, (216) 789.2139, mprevits@gmail.com

November 11: Wilmington, DE
Primary Contact: Judy Campbell, Gold Star Sister, (302) 593.5991, herdsis1@icloud.com

November 12: Simi Valley, CA
Primary Contact: Joanne Drake, CAO at Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute, (805) 522-2977, jdrake@reaganfoundation.org

Upcoming GSFMM Groundbreaking Event(s):

October 11: Reno, NV
Primary Contact: Jon Yuspa, (775) 351-8412, jon@honorflightnv.org

November 10: Spring Lake, NC
Primary Contact: Lorie Southerland, (325) 206-1721, cavgoldstar@aol.com

For a comprehensive list of GSFMM projects please visit http://hwwmohf.org/monument-projects.html

Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla, wrote an article published in the Enid News & Eagle, recognizing the sacrifices of Gold Star Families, including Gold Star Wives. Link to article.

Additionally, the Ahwatukee Foothills News recognized Gold Star Wives' support in organizing an event in Arizona.  It gave coverage to Gold Star Wives, even quoting our web site and a large picture of GSW member Mary Williams.  Link to article.

Gold Star Wives member Patricia Barbee is interviewed by WSAV 3 from Savannah, Georgia in recognition of Gold Star Families week. View the interview and story here: 

https://www.wsav.com/news/local-news/remember-gold-star-military-families-this-week/1474773369

In addition, WSAV broadcast a recent update on Gold Star Wives not being able to lobby and lack of compensation increases. View this broadcast here: 

https://www.wsav.com/news/military/no-increase-for-a-quarter-century/1490396995

Miss. Senator's Measure Designates Sept. 23-29, 2018, as 'Gold Star Families Remembrance Week'

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Senate has approved a resolution authored by U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) that honors the families of fallen members of the Armed Forces by designating Sept. 23-29, 2018, as "Gold Star Families Remembrance Week."

Approved by unanimous consent late Thursday, S.Res.522 was introduced by Hyde-Smith to establish an official date to commemorate families affected by the loss of a loved one who died in the service of the United States.

"Gold Star Families Remembrance Week gives us an opportunity to honor and recognize the sacrifices made by the families of members of the Armed Forces who have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedoms and secure our nation," Hyde-Smith said.

The remembrance week will serve as a prelude to Gold Star Mother's Day, which has been observed on the last Sunday of September since 1936. There hasn't been an official time dedicated to honor families who have lost a loved one who died in the line of duty while serving in the Armed Forces.

Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker signed the "BRAVE" Act Act that recognizes April 5th as Gold Star Wives Day. The legislation also provides additional support for members of the veterans’ community and their families including tax credits and educational opportunities. 

The link below will take you to more information about the Act and the Governor's signing, in which an unidentified Gold Star Wives member is clearly pictured behind the Governor! 

https://framinghamsource.com/index.php/2018/08/28/governor-baker-signs-brave-act-to-strengthen-services-and-supports-for-commonwealths-veterans/

Margaret (Babe) Jones recently celebrated her 100th birthday! On July 13th, Mrs. Jones turned 100 and her local paper, The Herald Dispatch, covered this occasion, noting her membership in Gold Star Wives. Congratulations Mrs. Jones!  

Link to article.

The StarTribune front page on July 21/22 issue, above the fold, covered the Gold Star Wives Memorial Service.  The in-depth article is also available online. 

GSW Members attend the Memorial Service held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, in the Historic Fort Snelling Memorial Chapel in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The service, which took place the morning of July 20, 2018, honored the spouses of all the members of Gold Star Wives.  Those in attendance were addressed by Major General (Ret) Norris L. Einertson, 17th Chief of Chaplains, United States Army. 

Colonel Karen Lloyd addresses the attendees of the 2018 Gold Star Wives National Convention. She reviewed the work of the Veterans History Project and encouraged all to participate and share any materials they would like.  More information can be found at loc.gov/vets.

Highlights:

Effective August 1, 2018 entitlement under the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) program will be reduced from 45 months to 36 months.

In October, 2018, the monthly allowance for eligible recipients will increase.

The DEA program offers education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of Veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to a service-related condition, or of Veterans who died while on active duty or from a service-related condition.

Visit https://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/50119/50119/ to see the amount of monthly allowance increases that take effect October 1st.