About the Gold Star Wives of America

Gold Star Wives of America, Inc. is a non-profit membership organization, chartered by the U.S. Congress as a unique organization. To be eligible for membership, your spouse must have died while on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces or died from a service-related disability.

There are currently 10,000 members nationwide, with over 60 active chapters.

An annual fee of $25 provides you with a quarterly newsletter that keeps you up to date on legislation that pertains to your benefits, other topics or news of interest, and activities around the country. The fee also supports our Washington, DC efforts, which are vital to maintaining, much less increasing, the benefits available to the military widows/ers.

A portion of the fee also goes to your local Chapter or Region. Some of the Chapters/Regions are active in local legislation as well. All are active in veterans issues. For example, in California and Massachusetts, widows/ers are eligible for property tax exemptions. In Massachusetts you may also be eligible for an annual annuity from the state of $1,500.

Gold Star Wives was incorporated in the State of New York on December 15, 1945. GSW was granted a Federal Charter by Congress on December 4, 1980, recognizing the organization as "unique" and capable of providing a service not available from any other organization.

The Gold Star Wives of America Vision: We pledge to work diligently and unselfishly in the interest of all who have been called upon in a very personal way to share in the "last full measure of devotion" to our country and mankind.

If you would like to become a member of the Gold Star Wives of America, Inc, follow this link and print out the membership application. Or click here to request to be mailed information.

Read below additional benefits of membership:

1.  Member Support Services

• GSW supports all war widows and service related widows (open to men and women whose spouses died in active duty or from a service disability)
• Networking with local chapters around the country
• Email Listserve for members that allow immediate updates on new benefits, ability to contact members for answers to questions, advice, etc.
• Veterans and Memorial Days Program Involvement
• Quarterly Newsletter on member activities, legislation, and educational information
• Special Recognition Awards for outstanding performance in GSW
• National Convention
• Region Conference

2.  Volunteer Work & Support in the Community

• Volunteer work and support in community, military, and VA hospitals
• Organizational support for Veterans Memorial projects

3.  Legislative Information Services

• Gold Star Wives provide members with information on issues such as DIC Direct Deposit, Medicare Subvention, Remarriage Reinstatement, FEHBP updates to military beneficiaries, Cost of Living adjustment information, and more...
• Representation on behalf of the membership for improved benefits for all service widows and their children such as Increased Death Compensation for DIC recipients, Improved Health Benefits, Enhanced Educational Assistance Projects, and much more.