The Navy Gold Star Program is a new, comprehensive program designed for families of service members who die while on active duty. The program provides a level of long-term assistance and support not previously available to these family members. Counselors connect families with support groups and grief counseling as well as providing life skills education. Those eligible to receive support through the Gold Star Program include the service member's widow or widower, parents (including mother, father, stepparents, foster parents and those who stood in loco parentis of the service member), and next of kin (defined as children, including stepchildren, brothers, sisters, half-brothers and half-sisters.) For more information, visit the Navy Gold Star Program website at www.navygoldstar.com and follow the Navy Gold Star Program on Facebook.
For more veteran and family support resources, see this Military.com Spouse Channel article.
