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Gold Star Wives Celebrate 65 Years Of Service
(June 5, 2010) |
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Deborah Mullen (left) is
presented the Gold Star Wives of America
Appreciation Award by Ruth Miller, board chair,
and Kit Frazer, president, Gold Star Wives, at
the organization's annual Congressional
Reception at the U.S. Captiol Visitors Center
May 27. Mullen and her husband, Adm. Mike
Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff,
were both honored in recognition of their
devotion to families of the fallen and wounded
warriors. WASHINGTON (Army News Service, June 1,
2010) -- Back during World War II, a small group
of women met in a living room to lend support to
those whose husbands were killed in the line of
duty. Now 65 years later, that small group has
become the Gold Star Wives of America, standing
10,000-strong with 60 chapters across America.
Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Chad J.
McNeeley |
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(June 1, 2010 - ANS) -- The Gold Star Wives celebrated
65 years of service, support and friendship
Thursday at the nation's Capitol, with special
guests including Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman
of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, his wife Deborah,
along with several Congressmen, and more than
100 military spouses, families and friends.
"For all the Gold Star Wives who are here, all
the family members who have lost someone - they
have paid the ultimate sacrifice," Mullen said.
"From my perspective, you have a continuing
commitment to never, ever forget that
sacrifice... What's important is that we sustain
that love, devotion, passion and remembrance for
as long as we live."
The fallen warriors of the Gold Star Wives come
from all branches of service, to include the
Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard.
"Everyone here has lost someone they love -
everyone has been there," said Katherine |
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Frazer, Gold Star Wives national president. "It
doesn't matter what rank, color or creed; we
have all suffered loss." |
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Frazer's late husband, Army pilot Lt. Col. Elson B. Oakley,
was killed in 1969 in a plane crash in Bangkok, Thailand.
Though his death was several decades ago, she has actively
been a member of the Gold Star Wives for 11 years. She said
the best thing about being a Gold Star Wife is the comradery,
support and the opportunity to meet people.
As a Congressional chartered, non-profit organization, Gold
Star Wives' primary mission is to provide service, support
and friendship to the widows and widowers of military
personnel who died on active duty or as the result of a
service-connected cause. The group advocates legislation to
improve benefits received by service widows and widowers.
They also educate group members in understanding and
obtaining the benefits provided by Congress.
For more information on Gold Star Wives, including how to
join, visit
www.goldstarwives.org. |
By Tracy Robillard
103rd Public Affairs Detachment
Copyright 2010 | |
Reprinted from
Army News Service
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