The rights of Gold Star families, the relatives of military service members who died during armed conflicts, would be clarified and expanded to address gray areas in current law under legislation introduced by U.S. Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) on Oct 2.
Gold Star families currently lose access to military installations and subsequent memorial services, unit reunions and grief counseling services after a period of time. Also, Gold Star spouses lose access to on-base benefits immediately after remarrying, even if they have dependent children who are still entitled to those benefits.
The Gold Star Family Support and Installation Access Act of 2017, H.R. 3897 would give Gold Star spouses and dependents lifetime access to installations, and the secretary of defense would have authority to grant access to the next of kin. The measure would also ensure that Gold Star spouses retain on-base benefits while dependent children remain at home.
“The core of the Gold Star Bill is about commitment — a commitment for life,” said Bacon, who introduced the bill in response to specific issues raised by Gold Star families. “I personally know there is nothing more devastating than taking an American flag from the coffin of a fallen soldier and handing it to the family left behind. I’ve done it too many times.”
Bacon served in the U.S. Air Force for nearly 30 years, ultimately retiring in 2014 as a Brigadier General.
Bacon introduced H.R. 3897 with bipartisan support from eight cosponsors who are veterans, including U.S. Reps. Martha McSally (R-AZ), Brian Mast (R-FL), Salud Carbajal (D-CA) and Seth Moulton (D-MA).
“… After hearing the personal stories of so many of our Gold Star families, I learned something else: that we aren’t doing enough to support these families, that we can and must do more, and that we owe these families a commitment for life,” Bacon concluded.