As the result of COVID 19 the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Visitor's Center remains closed to the public. The grounds and Chapel are open seven days a week.
With the uncertainly as to how long the COVID 19 will require social distancing and small groups and the amount of prior planning required, Run For The Wall has cancelled the September 5, 2020 bricklaying. Bricklaying has been scheduled for September 4, 2021. 

They are hoping to have Dr. Steven Trout author of WAR, REMEMBERANCE AND AN AMERICAN TRAGEDY speak during Memorial Day 2021.

The film, ON THIS HALLOWED GROUND: Vietnam Memorial Born From Tragedy has been showing on New Mexico PBS. Work is being done on getting it shown on national PBS.

If you would like a copy of the video or book call Rhonda and Leanne at 575-377-6900 or go on the website at www.vietnamveteransmemorial.org for information or to order items. They are in the office from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday.

Construction of the Angel Fire State Rural Veteran's cemetery will be completed in the next few days.

Please stay safe and do what you can to help a vet and their families.

Gold Star Wives was well-represented in Memorial Day articles. 

The Jacksonville Daily Progress published an article by Dr. Deborah Burkett of the Cherokee County Historical Commission who referenced Gold Star Wives in an article mainly about the history of the gold star emblem and other memorial day traditions.

CBS affiliate KMOV4 published an in depth article with pictures and stories of several heroes who died from suicide, an issue of increasing importance to GSW.  "They didn't die in combat, but they lived heroic lives. Remembering the military heroes who died by suicide" included a feature of GSW Members Teresa Bowman, Aaron Mathews, Ronelle Hulbert, Connie Dalton, Sabine Ward and others. 

The Haitian Times covered an article of a Haitian-American war veteran Army Sergeant Mario Nelson, "Even though he was from Haiti, and loved his Haitian culture, he also saw the United States of America as his country because of the opportunities he received." Read the full article at https://haitiantimes.com/2020/05/25/widow-of-haitian-american-war-veteran-transforms-trauma-into-power-and-purpose/

Gold Star Wives Members Chrissie D. Chojnicki, Lori Spada, Becky Nyren and several Gold Star Mothers were photographed at a Memorial Day ceremony at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.  See link to the Day in Pictures.

We Are the Mighty published an article about their lives together "Mighty Stories: Remembering my big, bad Green Beret, SSG Michael H. Simpson"  - click here.

And finally the Milton Courier published the Memorial Day 2020 speech by Mayor Anissa Welch who recognized Gold Star Wives - click here. 

Taylor is the widow of Army Maj. Brent Taylor, who was killed in Afghanistan by a member of the Afghan security forces in 2018. The National Guard officer was on his fourth year-long tour when he was cut down. 

Jennie is raising seven children, ages 2 through 14, complicated now by quarantine. "I'm only half-joking when I say I'm one small step away from really crazy," she said.

Above is an excerpt from an in-depth article on radio.com titled "Gold Star wife remembers soldier's dreams."  The article can be found in its entirety here - https://connectingvets.radio.com/articles/military/memorial-day-gold-star-wife-remembers-soldiers-dreams - for those who want to read more about Mrs. Taylor and the scholarship fund created in her husband's honor.

Gold Star Wives were active this Memorial Day. News organizations helped us spread the word.  

Two Oregon members were interviewed for an AARP article titled "Saluting Veterans, Military, and Their families".  The members interviewed included National President Nancy Menagh and member of the Board of Directors Valerie Morey. See the article and pictures here.

In Little Rock, Arkansas, two more members were interviewed including Leslie Haynes and GSW Board of Directors member Sharri Briley, by KARK for the article Gold Star Families talk about the meaning of The Gold Star Memorial Monument. View the article online. 

CNN published an article They didn't die in combat, but they lived heroic lives. Remembering the military heroes who died by suicide that gives important coverage to this issue that impacts so many Gold Star Wives.  Sabine Ward, an active member of Gold Star Wives, is interviewed in this article. 

WTOC in Georgia has a video and article with Gold Star Wives represented. Click here to view their coverage of Memorial Day.

Our own National Newsletter Editor Ruth Crocker has published an article on The Day about Gold Star Wives.  Entitled "Gold Star Wives find a bond in their losses", the article is linked here. The article provides a history of GSW and current activities of the organization. Congratulations on getting this published Ruth!

GSW is proud to share a Huffington Post article featuring our own member Dr. Vivianne Wersel, who is currently serving on the GSW Board of Directors in the Public Relations position, and also founded the Arlington Chapter.  The article is titled "This Marine Widow Turned Tragedy To Triumph - Dr. Vivianne Wersel ensured that no service member's death is discounted." Read the article here.

The Chronicle Telegram (Amherst) covered GSW Kimberly Hazelgrove and her response to the passing of the SBP/DIC Offset. Link to article.

The Augusta Chronicle published an article written by Rep. Joe Wilson on his legislative agenda and how important the ending of the "Widow's Tax" was to him. Link to article.

Check out the incredible coverage in the Dover Post from their Gold Star Tea in February.  Many wonderful pictures! Link to coverage.

Since there are so many questions regarding the timeline and how the changes will affect many of our members, here is a helpful place to get updated information:

SBP-DIC News Website

DFAS has added a new webpage called "SBC-DIC News" where new information will be posted as it becomes available.

Please plan to check this webpage for updates:

https://www.dfas.mil/sbpdicnews

Check the SBP-DIC News Webpage for Information on the SBP-DIC Offset Phased Elimination Congress included a phased elimination of the SBP-DIC offset in the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act, titled ""Phase-Out of Reduction of Survivor Benefit Plan Survivor Annuities by Amount of Dependency and Indemnity Compensation.

We want to make sure you know where to get information on how this change, if passed, may affect SBP annuitants.

You can also learn more about SBP, DIC and SSIA on this webpage:

https://www.dfas.mil/retiredmi…/…/Understanding-SBP-DIC-SSIA

An article appearing in the San Diego Union Tribune titled "Military widows are celebrating a huge victory in Congress" covers GSW member Kathy Prout, and other GSW members reactions to the SBP/DIC Offset bill that recently passed. [Read here]

Meanwhile, AL.com covers this from Senator Doug Jones victory as one of the initial sponsors of the bill. [Read here]

"Buckley vet recognized by head of Vietnam Memorial Commission" covers the work by GSW member Arlene Murray. Read the article here at the Courier-Herald.

TheChattanoogan.com has a nice article about Gold Star Wives founder Marie Jordan Speer, and the efforts of the Magnolia Chapter based there.  

NewDayUSA held a Veterans Appreciation Day Event in Fulton, Maryland that included Gold Star Wives. This was covered by the National Mortgage Professionals Magazine - read here.

Many Gold Star Wives members participate in Wreaths Across America.  The Main Street Clarksville covers this in their article: "Wreaths Across America honors the fallen" with a picture of EAGLES Chapter Treasurer Hazel Morrison and a lot of information about the work of the chapter.

Daughters of the American Revolution - including a new Gold Star Wife - were covered in the Hockessin Community News - read here.

Sandra Robertson, Past-President and a past Treasurer of Gold Star Wives, was quoted in the Yellowhammer News article covering Governor Kay Ivey's participation at a Wreaths Across America event - read here.