Honoring Gold Star Families
Let these numbers sink in: Since September 11, 2001, over 7,000 American servicemen and women have been killed in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. More than 16,000 have died of other causes as well. These men and women lost their lives in the name of freedom, peace, and safety. There are no words that can adequately describe our gratitude. It is all too true that freedom is not free.
Heads up: If you see someone wearing the military Gold Star pin it means they have a loved who made the ultimate sacrifice. We remember and honor the heroes who died while serving their country. And we honor their families who have endured such deep, deep heartache. These families are called Gold Star families. It means they have a son, daughter, mom, dad, brother, or sister who died while serving our country.
The Gold Star symbol began during World War I. In 1917 American families hung banners with blue stars representing family members serving in the war. If the loved one died in combat, the family changed the blue star to gold.
Gold Star families live among us all: They make their homes in every state and in most communities. Consider this a reminder to remember them. There are still Gold Star family members (e.g. babies who never knew their fathers) from World War I. And there are thousands from World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Desert Shield/Desert Storm, and the Afghanistan and Iraq wars.
So if you know of someone who is a Gold Star family member we encourage you to reach out to them.
Hershel "Woody" Wilson was a Medal of Honor recipient for his service in WWII. He was one of the men in the infamous photo of the Marines raising the American flag at Iwo Jima. Woody Wilson gave his life to Jesus Christ and he dedicated his to honoring heroes killed in action and supporting Gold Star families. He created the Woody Wilson Foundation which continues his work.
Woody once said, “I’ve always said the heroes are those who never got to come home. They are the true heroes, regardless of how their life was sacrificed. They still did it for us and America. So they, to my mind, are the heroes.”
One Gold Star dad David Pautsch, who lost his son Jason Pautsch on Good Friday 2009 in Iraq, profoundly stated it this way about identifying with the Lord: "But [God] the Father is committed in love to all of us. You may wonder at times if you believe in Him, but He surely believes in you! That’s why He gave [His Son] Jesus to die for you. He also lost a Son on Good Friday."
This quote encapsulates how many Gold Star families have leaned on the Lord. Yes, even in the deepest pain, there is eternal hope is in Jesus Christ. Click here to know more.
From our hearts, we dedicate this edition of Unite the USA to Gold Star families. We also have a special announcement about a project to reach out to them. (See below.) We want to encourage you to reach out to these special families to show kindness and support. And we want to give our heartfelt thanks to Gold Star family members who are reading this edition. We are praying for you and we sincerely thank God for you.
Shared with hearts full of God’s love for you all,Carrie Stoelting and Stacie Stoelting HudzinskiSisters and founders of Unite the USA
Heads up: If you see someone wearing the military Gold Star pin it means they have a loved who made the ultimate sacrifice. We remember and honor the heroes who died while serving their country. And we honor their families who have endured such deep, deep heartache. These families are called Gold Star families. It means they have a son, daughter, mom, dad, brother, or sister who died while serving our country.
The Gold Star symbol began during World War I. In 1917 American families hung banners with blue stars representing family members serving in the war. If the loved one died in combat, the family changed the blue star to gold.
Gold Star families live among us all: They make their homes in every state and in most communities. Consider this a reminder to remember them. There are still Gold Star family members (e.g. babies who never knew their fathers) from World War I. And there are thousands from World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Desert Shield/Desert Storm, and the Afghanistan and Iraq wars.
So if you know of someone who is a Gold Star family member we encourage you to reach out to them.
Hershel "Woody" Wilson was a Medal of Honor recipient for his service in WWII. He was one of the men in the infamous photo of the Marines raising the American flag at Iwo Jima. Woody Wilson gave his life to Jesus Christ and he dedicated his to honoring heroes killed in action and supporting Gold Star families. He created the Woody Wilson Foundation which continues his work.
Woody once said, “I’ve always said the heroes are those who never got to come home. They are the true heroes, regardless of how their life was sacrificed. They still did it for us and America. So they, to my mind, are the heroes.”
One Gold Star dad David Pautsch, who lost his son Jason Pautsch on Good Friday 2009 in Iraq, profoundly stated it this way about identifying with the Lord: "But [God] the Father is committed in love to all of us. You may wonder at times if you believe in Him, but He surely believes in you! That’s why He gave [His Son] Jesus to die for you. He also lost a Son on Good Friday."
This quote encapsulates how many Gold Star families have leaned on the Lord. Yes, even in the deepest pain, there is eternal hope is in Jesus Christ. Click here to know more.
From our hearts, we dedicate this edition of Unite the USA to Gold Star families. We also have a special announcement about a project to reach out to them. (See below.) We want to encourage you to reach out to these special families to show kindness and support. And we want to give our heartfelt thanks to Gold Star family members who are reading this edition. We are praying for you and we sincerely thank God for you.
Shared with hearts full of God’s love for you all,Carrie Stoelting and Stacie Stoelting HudzinskiSisters and founders of Unite the USA
Understanding the Significance of the Gold Star
What is the meaning of the Gold Star? This short video explains it well. The Gold Star represents tremendous loss and sacrifice. It means a son, daughter, mom, dad, brother or sister was killed while serving our country. We owe them so much and there are no words that can truly express it.
Resources for Gold Star Families
1. Military OneSource offers numerous services and resources that are available for Gold Star families.
2. It can help a lot to have that connection and support from others who truly understand. Click here to find an extensive list of groups and organizations where you can connect with other Gold Star families.
3. There are many resources available that offer financial assistance and scholarships for Gold Star families. Click here to learn more.
4. The Woody Williams Foundation assists in promoting and creating, Gold Star Families Memorial Monuments in communities in every State and U.S. territory. These efforts are focused to provide a space the Gold Star Families can call their own in honor of their loved ones and their family. Click here to support the Woody Williams Foundation.
5. Did you know there are scholarships available to eligible Gold Star Children? Check out the Woody Williams Foundation scholarship guidelines.
2. It can help a lot to have that connection and support from others who truly understand. Click here to find an extensive list of groups and organizations where you can connect with other Gold Star families.
3. There are many resources available that offer financial assistance and scholarships for Gold Star families. Click here to learn more.
4. The Woody Williams Foundation assists in promoting and creating, Gold Star Families Memorial Monuments in communities in every State and U.S. territory. These efforts are focused to provide a space the Gold Star Families can call their own in honor of their loved ones and their family. Click here to support the Woody Williams Foundation.
5. Did you know there are scholarships available to eligible Gold Star Children? Check out the Woody Williams Foundation scholarship guidelines.
Resources for Gold Star Families
1. Military OneSource offers numerous services and resources that are available for Gold Star families.
2. It can help a lot to have that connection and support from others who truly understand. Click here to find an extensive list of groups and organizations where you can connect with other Gold Star families.
3. There are many resources available that offer financial assistance and scholarships for Gold Star families. Click here to learn more.
4. The Woody Williams Foundation assists in promoting and creating, Gold Star Families Memorial Monuments in communities in every State and U.S. territory. These efforts are focused to provide a space the Gold Star Families can call their own in honor of their loved ones and their family. Click here to support the Woody Williams Foundation.
5. Did you know there are scholarships available to eligible Gold Star Children? Check out the Woody Williams Foundation scholarship guidelines.
2. It can help a lot to have that connection and support from others who truly understand. Click here to find an extensive list of groups and organizations where you can connect with other Gold Star families.
3. There are many resources available that offer financial assistance and scholarships for Gold Star families. Click here to learn more.
4. The Woody Williams Foundation assists in promoting and creating, Gold Star Families Memorial Monuments in communities in every State and U.S. territory. These efforts are focused to provide a space the Gold Star Families can call their own in honor of their loved ones and their family. Click here to support the Woody Williams Foundation.
5. Did you know there are scholarships available to eligible Gold Star Children? Check out the Woody Williams Foundation scholarship guidelines.
Featured Quote
“I’ve always said the heroes are those who never got to come home. They are the true heroes, regardless of how their life was sacrificed. They still did it for us and America. So they, to my mind, are the heroes.”
-Hershel "Woody" Wilson, WWII Medal of Honor recipient and Iwo Jima hero
-Hershel "Woody" Wilson, WWII Medal of Honor recipient and Iwo Jima hero
Special Announcement: Operation Christmas Star
A Christmas Outreach for Gold Star Families
This Christmas we are honoring Gold Star families in a new way. We would like to send a special star ornament made from olive wood from Bethlehem to each Gold Star family brought to our attention. Please e-mail us Gold Star family names and mailing addresses to info@unitetheusa.org.
If you know of a Gold Star family and want to do something, let us help make it easy for you to do it. Or, if you have lost a son, daughter, mom, dad, brother or sister, please contact us.
Will you join us in reaching out to these most deserving, precious families? Send us an email, pray for the project, and share about it on social media.
We hope and literally pray that the ornaments will remind each Gold Star family member that many people love them, pray for them, and remember their profound, incalculable sacrifice. May we all remember the words of the Lord: "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13).
If you know of a Gold Star family and want to do something, let us help make it easy for you to do it. Or, if you have lost a son, daughter, mom, dad, brother or sister, please contact us.
Will you join us in reaching out to these most deserving, precious families? Send us an email, pray for the project, and share about it on social media.
We hope and literally pray that the ornaments will remind each Gold Star family member that many people love them, pray for them, and remember their profound, incalculable sacrifice. May we all remember the words of the Lord: "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13).
Virtual Parade for Heroes
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As Christmas approaches, we need to encourage and support our veterans and current servicemen and women more than ever.
So many military families are separated from one another this Christmas season and New Year's. And Gold Star families will celebrate another Christmas and New Year's without their loved ones. Many heroes wrestling with post-traumatic stress do not like being in crowds. Many heroes also suffer from injury-related and/or age-related mobility issues. Therefore, we are hosting another Virtual Parade for Heroes this upcoming Christmas season and New Year's so that every hero can be honored.
To be included in our next Virtual Parade of Heroes, please e-mail us the hero’s name, picture, and service information by January 1, 2023 to info@unitetheusa.org. The virtual parade will then be published in early 2023 in an online musical video virtual parade and you will be notified of its publication by e-mail.
This year's Virtual Parade for Heroes will have a special emphasis honoring heroes killed in action as an extra way to support Gold Star families. If your loved one was killed in action, please let us know when you e-mail us.
We are grateful for this opportunity to give credit where credit is due! Join us!
God bless you,Carrie and Stacie
So many military families are separated from one another this Christmas season and New Year's. And Gold Star families will celebrate another Christmas and New Year's without their loved ones. Many heroes wrestling with post-traumatic stress do not like being in crowds. Many heroes also suffer from injury-related and/or age-related mobility issues. Therefore, we are hosting another Virtual Parade for Heroes this upcoming Christmas season and New Year's so that every hero can be honored.
To be included in our next Virtual Parade of Heroes, please e-mail us the hero’s name, picture, and service information by January 1, 2023 to info@unitetheusa.org. The virtual parade will then be published in early 2023 in an online musical video virtual parade and you will be notified of its publication by e-mail.
This year's Virtual Parade for Heroes will have a special emphasis honoring heroes killed in action as an extra way to support Gold Star families. If your loved one was killed in action, please let us know when you e-mail us.
We are grateful for this opportunity to give credit where credit is due! Join us!
God bless you,Carrie and Stacie
Ways to Support Gold Star Families
(Suggested by Gold Star Families)
Gold Star families need to know they are seen and remembered. Gold Star spouses Jenn McCollum and Juli West have shared how it helps to live a life worth of their sacrifice and to dedicate achievements to their memory.
Here are tips provided by two Gold Star spouses and one Gold Star mom on ways you can reach out to show your support:
1. Show kindness to Gold Star families. Be a listening ear. Be present. No words can take away the pain but it will mean so much to know you care.
2. Offer to help with the simple things like running errands. There are plenty of elderly parents who lost a son or daughter in war who otherwise would have been present to assist them. So offer to go to the grocery store or take them to a medical appointment if they need a driver. Whatever the need, be willing to step up without being asked.
3. Make sure you support Gold Star children. Let them know you support them. Attend their sporting events, be available to spend time with them, encourage them at church events, remember their birthdays with a card or gift, etc.
4. Avoid saying certain phrases. While you may be trying hard to be supportive, there are certain phrases you should avoid, like [don't say this]: “You’re young; you’ll find someone else.”
5. Be consistent. Over time many people drop off the radar and Gold Star families can accidentally be forgotten. So be consistent. Call, text, or mail a card showing support; just let them know you are thinking of them and praying for them. Be a true friend.
6. Be aware of birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, and other key family events. Check in during those important times.
7. Over time, and if the timing is right, listen to Gold Star family members share stories about their loved one. And share appropriate memories of their loved one yourself. It can be helpful and healing to remember their loved one together and to know that he/she has not been forgotten.
8. If you see a Gold Star family that needs support, be it emotional or other, please share Hope For The Warriors’ information with them so they can explore their programs and services. Grief counseling is available as well. It can be helpful to meet up with other survivors and friends.
9. Make a donation to a favorite charity in honor of their loved one.
10 Take a Gold Star Family to a favorite restaurant or have them over for dinner. Share a meal and show support.
Here are tips provided by two Gold Star spouses and one Gold Star mom on ways you can reach out to show your support:
1. Show kindness to Gold Star families. Be a listening ear. Be present. No words can take away the pain but it will mean so much to know you care.
2. Offer to help with the simple things like running errands. There are plenty of elderly parents who lost a son or daughter in war who otherwise would have been present to assist them. So offer to go to the grocery store or take them to a medical appointment if they need a driver. Whatever the need, be willing to step up without being asked.
3. Make sure you support Gold Star children. Let them know you support them. Attend their sporting events, be available to spend time with them, encourage them at church events, remember their birthdays with a card or gift, etc.
4. Avoid saying certain phrases. While you may be trying hard to be supportive, there are certain phrases you should avoid, like [don't say this]: “You’re young; you’ll find someone else.”
5. Be consistent. Over time many people drop off the radar and Gold Star families can accidentally be forgotten. So be consistent. Call, text, or mail a card showing support; just let them know you are thinking of them and praying for them. Be a true friend.
6. Be aware of birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, and other key family events. Check in during those important times.
7. Over time, and if the timing is right, listen to Gold Star family members share stories about their loved one. And share appropriate memories of their loved one yourself. It can be helpful and healing to remember their loved one together and to know that he/she has not been forgotten.
8. If you see a Gold Star family that needs support, be it emotional or other, please share Hope For The Warriors’ information with them so they can explore their programs and services. Grief counseling is available as well. It can be helpful to meet up with other survivors and friends.
9. Make a donation to a favorite charity in honor of their loved one.
10 Take a Gold Star Family to a favorite restaurant or have them over for dinner. Share a meal and show support.
Featured Bible Verse
"Greater love has no one than this that someone lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13
Unite the USA's Featured Veteran of the Month: Hershel "Woody" Williams
Hershel "Woody" Williams, Medal of Honor, WWII