Gold Star Wives
About Gold Star Wives
Who We Are
- The widows/widowers whose spouses died while serving in the Armed Forces of the United States, or as result of service-connected disabilities.
- The widows/widowers of service personnel of all armed conflicts involving the United States of America.
- The mothers and fathers of children whose parents gave their life in the service of the country.
- The widows/widowers of service personnel of all ranks, races, and creeds.
“Only a service spouse understands the sorrow and problems of another service spouse.”
Each legislative session of Congress brings up new legislation directly pertaining to military survivors. Members of Gold Star Wives appear before various House and Senate Committees on issues concerning compensation, educational benefits, medical care and other programs pertaining to the welfare of military survivors.
We believe surviving spouses and dependent children need an organization dedicated solely to their needs, concerns, and welfare.
We believe that united we are stronger, and that together we stand and divided we fall and are forgotten.
Our Mission
Gold Star Wives of America, Inc. exists to preserve and enhance benefits to surviving United States Military spouses and children; to help our members and their children face the future with courage and determination; and to honor the memory of our military spouses who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Gold Star Wives of America, Inc. works with the United States Congress to assure recognition of our unique organization which seeks benefits on behalf of the surviving spouses and children.
Our Vision
We pledge to continue work diligently and unselfishly in the interest of all of us who have been called upon in a very personal way to share in the “last full measure of devotion” to our country and mankind.
We will Work:
To advance and carry out the purposes for which we originally banded together.
To seek nationwide recognition of our organization, which provides a unique service for the service widow/widower not available from any other organization.
GSW Purposes
- To assist in upholding the Constitution and laws of the United States of America, and to inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the community, state, and nation.
- To honor the memory of those who made the supreme sacrifice in the service of our country.
- To safeguard and transmit to posterity the principles of justice, freedom, and democracy for which members of our armed services fought and died.
- To provide the benefits of a happy, healthful and wholesome life to minor children of persons who died in the service of our country.
- To promote activities and interests designed to foster among its members the proper mental attitude to face the future with courage.
- To aid when necessary the spouses and children of persons who died in the service of our country.
- To do any and all things necessary and incidental to carry out the general purposes and objects of this organization.
Benefits of Membership
- Networking, friendship and support through local chapters and regions
- Quarterly newsletter with legislative and educational information mailed every March, June, September and December
- Email alerts for activities, legislative updates, and news pertinent to surviving spouses
- Up to date information on legislation and advocacy that concerns survivor benefits
- Memorial Day and Veterans Day program involvement
- Access to a mailed annual directory with contact information for Board, Region, Chapter and other important officers and organizations
- Assistance with your survivor benefits questions or concerns from GSW’s Service Officer
- Volunteer opportunities at the chapter, region and national level within GSW
- Volunteer work in community, military, and veterans hospitals
- Jo’s Heroes Vacation Program (a retired Marine Corps family from Tucson, Arizona donation of vacations to 5-10 GSW members each year)
- Aid and Attendance and Housebound application assistance
- Grief support from our National Chaplain
You are eligible for membership if you meet these requirements:
Any surviving spouse of any person of the United States military who died while a member of the armed forces of our country, or who died subsequent to such service as a result of an injury or disability incurred during such service, shall be eligible for membership in the chapters of the Gold Star Wives of America, Inc. If there is no chapter organized in the area within which the member resides, the member shall become a member-at-large.
We reserve the right to request Proof of Eligibility. During the application for membership, you agree to provide proof should it be requested in the future. Should proof of eligibility be requested and not supplied, your membership may be suspended.
Proof of Eligibility can be a copy of:
- The DIC eligibility letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs
- If the spouse died on active duty, the DD1300
- If the surviving spouse is not receiving DIC, the DD214, the death certificate, and if necessary, other appropriate documentation.
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