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GOLD STAR FAMILY RESOURCES:
The term Gold Star Family is a relatively modern reference that originated from the inception of the Service Flag. These flags/banners were first flown by families during World War I and included a blue star for each immediate family member serving in the Armed Forces of the United States during any period of war or hostilities in which we were engaged. If that loved one died while serving on active duty, the blue star was replaced by a gold star. This allowed members of the community to know the price that the family had paid in the cause of freedom.
In 1936 the United States began observing Gold Star Mother's Day on the last Sunday of September. The Gold Star Wives was formed before the end of World War II, and the Gold Star Lapel Button was established in August 1947.
Today, the nation recognizes the sacrifice that all Gold Star Family members make when a father, mother, brother, sister, son, daughter, or other loved one dies in service to the nation. Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day is the last Sunday of September and Gold Star Spouse’s Day is April 5. The strength of our Nation is our Military. The strength of our Military is our Service Members. The strength of our Service Members is our Families. We recognize that no one has given more for the nation than the families of our fallen.
If you are a Gold Star Family Member, or know someone that is, and you are looking for support. Please review the Organizations below. They are fully vetted and offer a wide array of help.
If you are an Organization that would like inclusion on our site, please contact us at: info@projectrollcall.org
The Woody Williams Foundation is a charitable 501c(3) nonprofit organization that pursues specific endeavors and goals through the vision of Medal of Honor recipient Hershel "Woody" Williams. The Foundation encourages, with the assistance of the American public and community leaders, establishing permanent Gold Star Families Memorial Monuments in communities throughout the United States, conducting Gold Star Families Outreach across the country, providing Living Legacy scholarships to eligible Gold Star Children, and advocating for educational benefits for all Gold Star Family members.
The impact of the Foundation’s work helps to raise public awareness about Gold Star Families’ enduring sacrifice and the ultimate sacrifice made by their Loved Ones. The Foundation wishes to educate the community about these sacrifices, reminding us all that freedom has not been and is not free.
The Honor and Remember Mission: To perpetually recognize the sacrifice of America’s military fallen service members and their families. The organization pays tribute to all military lives lost, not only while serving on active duty but also as a result of serving. Military deaths in all wars or conflicts and all branches of service from our nation’s inception are recognized.
The primary vehicle for perpetual recognition is a specific and dedicated symbol of remembrance created by this organization: the Honor and Remember Flag, which is intended to fly continuously as a tangible and visible reminder to all Americans of the lives lost in defense of our national freedoms.
TAPS honors America's fallen by caring for those they loved.
Since 1994, TAPS has provided comfort, care and resources to all those grieving the death of a military loved one, no matter their relationship to the hero or their loved one's cause of death. TAPS is available 24/7 through a national peer support network and a 24/7 National Military Survivor Helpline to bring hope and to meet the diverse needs of our survivor population. TAPS also provides connections to a variety of grief resources and counseling in a survivor's local community, along with helping to navigate benefits and resources, all at no cost to military surviving families. Programming for youth and adults is available throughout the year both virtually and in-person at locations across the country in the form of seminars, Good Grief Camps, TAPS Togethers, retreats and expeditions, along with care groups and online chats; all meant to support and meet survivors wherever they are in their grief journey.
TAPS also partners with other military and veteran organizations and federal agencies to educate, represent, and protect our survivors. TAPS advocates for improvements in programs and services provided by the Federal government, as well as State and local governments; and also works to advance policy and legislation to strengthen the families of America’s fallen military heroes.
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. We provide opportunities for Surviving Spouses and their children to honor and remember our fallen, to provide support to our members and Gold Star Families, and to provide service to Veterans and their families. We provide a variety of educational opportunities to our members regarding their benefits and issues facing Surviving Families. We strive to educate Congress and the general public about the important issues of those who have lost a Service member.
Gold Star Wives of America, Inc. is non-profit national service organization, which was incorporated in 1945, and received its Federal Charter by Congress in 1980.
The American Gold Star Mothers Inc. Mission is Finding strength in the fellowship of other Gold Star Mothers who strive to keep the memory of our sons and daughters alive by working to help veterans, those currently serving in the military, their families, and our communities.
In 1917 the United States entered World War I and 23-year-old George Vaughn Seibold volunteered. His mother, Grace Darling Seibold, began visiting injured servicemen in hospitals and waiting for letters from George. The letters stopped but Grace continued to visit hospitalized veterans hoping to find her son. On 11 October 1918, the family’s worst fears were confirmed, George was gone.....
NHHR also offers motorcycle escorts for funeral services or welcome home events for returning military service personnel, participates in community service projects to assist veterans with home improvement or remodeling projects to better suit physical or mental challenges resulting from their military service, and outreach events to build awareness regarding Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and other difficulties faced by returning veterans or the families they leave behind.
NHHR activities include an annual Honor Run to remember all Native American veterans who were “Killed In Action” since Lori Piestewa’s death in 2003, and the “Gold Star” families that were left behind after the sacrifice of these soldiers. American Gold Star families are immediate relatives of members of the U.S. Armed Forces who have been killed in combat or in support of certain military activities.
Operation Hero was started to continue the legacy of 1SG Tracy Stapley, who died July 3, 2013 in Qatar on his second deployment. Always known to help others whether it was needed or not. A man who would want all of his brothers and sisters in arms to be honored alongside him.
We give back to Gold Star Families, educate service members and their families about the importance of Preparing for the Unexpected. Honor Utah's Fallen Service Members with over 300 combat boots on display. Some boots have been decorated by the families to tell the story of their loved ones. These men and women died while in uniform serving our country. We are forever grateful for them and their families.
Why do I walk 4 them - It’s simple, it is a great way to teach people
what the cost of FREEDOM is, and how to show
the families of Fallen Warriors that their families
Sacrifices aren’t forgotten.
Walking with our Flag and dedicating my walks to honor a fallen soldier has provided me with a mission a tasking to ensure that the memories of our fallen
will always be remembered and talked about.
Keeping the memories alive !
The Fallen Heroes Portrait Project: "Our mission is to honor the American Fallen Heroes for their ultimate sacrifice during the war against terrorism. The foundation will provide the resources to produce and distribute to each family a hand-drawn portrait of their Fallen Hero, created by artist Michael G. Reagan, free of charge. Each portrait is intended to show our Love and Respect for these Heroes and their families.”
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Honoring our Fallen Heroes means caring for their loved ones left behind. The Captain Joseph House Foundation is the first of its kind respite House in the Nation, a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit corporation created to lend support for Gold Star Families of our military’s Fallen Heroes. A total of five Houses strategically placed throughout the country are planned. The mission is simple, yet meets a deeply needed level of compassion that has been missing for many of these Families who are most impacted by their loss. With both volunteer and paid staff, donation funding and inspiration, our Foundation will ensure a place of respite for the Families of our Fallen and coming from all branches of the military to gather. The program will provide a continuum of care for their personal healing; Family- to-Family in a home-away-from-home.