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SEATTLE- The
Gold Star Wives of America held their 69th
annual convention here to elect new leadership and board members
July 19, 2014.
Just as importantly, they gathered to welcome
new members and remember their fallen loved ones.
GSW members
have one thing in common – they have lost a spouse, husband or wife
who died while serving on active duty or as a result of a
service-connected illness or disability.
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(From left to right) Mildred Farrow,
The Gold Star Wives of America, Inc. national chaplain, Martha
Didamo, national parliamentary, Betty Crawford, national treasurer,
Kathy Maiorana, national historian, Aseneth Blackwell standing in
for Tamra Sipes, national secretary, Judi Van Cleave, national vice
president, Harriet Boyden, National president, the newly installed
national officers pose for a picture during The Gold Star Wives of
America 69th annual convention in Seattle ON July 19, 2014. The
convention was held to conduct annual business agenda, elect Gold
Star Wives National Office leadership and national board members for
the upcoming year.
(U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Christopher Prows)
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“As an organization our mission is to continue the work
started by a small group of women in 1945,” said Harriet
Boyden, GSW president. “We serve, support and provide
friendship to the widow or widower of those who died because
of their service in the military.”
Boyden added that
since 1945, the primary mission of the GSW is to provide
services, support and friendship to those who have lost a
military spouse and through shared experiences, gain
strength to comfort the unique challenges of the families of
fallen heroes.
Lt. Gen. Stephen R. Lanza, commanding
general, I Corps at nearby Joint Base Lewis-McChord, was on
hand to thank the members of the GSW for their service and
continued support of the U.S. Army. He also told the
assembled crowd of 100 that their loved ones would not be
forgotten.
“I ask those that have served and those
who are continuing to serve, that you remember the fallen,”
said Lanza. “As you put on the uniform remember those that
have come before you, because those that have come before
you, allow us to do what we do today.”
Gold Star
Wives of America, Inc., was formed by a small group of World
War II widows. Since then Gold Star Wives has grown to a
national, non-profit organization chartered by Congress with
over 8,000 Gold Star members.
The organization
volunteers on military bases, in VA hospitals and clinics,
at events for survivors and veterans in local communities.
Members participate in ceremonies honoring survivors and
veterans; work at the local, state and national levels to
keep and enhance the benefits for survivors. More
importantly, it is a chance for spouses of this nation's
fallen to come together with those who understand their
pain.
“Families who lost their loved ones don't quite
know how to communicate or they just had so much grief, but
through that unity that you have, you are able to help each
other,” said Mary Forbes, assistant director of the Veteran
Services and Behavioral Health Services Division, Washington
Department of Veteran Affairs. “Over the last six years I
have seen families at the beginning of their grieving and
how they have grown through the help of this organization.”
“We had one lady come from Bainbridge Island to this and
she gets a newsletter and heard about the convention and
came to the event,” added Arlene Murray, Tahoma Chapter
president. “This is her first convention and she said she
would be coming to our [future] meetings because this is the
first place she has felt like she was surrounded by people
who understand what she's been through.”
According to
Lanza, many Soldiers know about the GSW of America and all
they do for spouses of those who have fallen. However, he
added, this message must be heard by more than just service
member and their families.
“We need to make sure your
message gets out, not just in the military community, but to
our nation,” he said. “You are indeed the heart of this
organization, but more importantly you are the heart behind
the shield of those who serve. As you have stood by your
loved ones, we will continue to stand by you.”
By U.S. Army Sgt. Christopher Prows
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2014
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