USA Recognizes Gold Star Wives Day on April 5th

WASHINGTON - April 2, 2019 - PRLog -- The terms "Gold Star Wives" and "Gold Star Spouses" traditionally refer to the surviving spouses of military members killed in the line of duty in combat. Gold Star Wives of America, Inc. also recognizes surviving spouses of our military members who died from 100% service-connected disabilities.

The first meeting of the Gold Star Wives of America was on April 5, 1945, when four young widows met in Marie Jordan's apartment on West 20th Street in New York City. One week later, President Franklin D. Roosevelt died. Shortly thereafter, Eleanor Roosevelt, the widow of the Commander-in-Chief, joined the organization. Mrs. Roosevelt was most helpful in the early days of the organization. She attended meetings, wrote about the organization in her "My Day" column, entertained children of Gold Star Wives at a picnic at her home in Hyde Park, New York, served on the first board of directors, and was one of the original 15 signers when the organization was chartered as a non-profit organization in the State of New York in December 1945.

In 2013, the U.S. Senate designated April 5th as Gold Wives Day in recognition of the sacrifices made by spouses and family members of our fallen heroes. Many state and local communities also formally recognize April 5th as Gold Star Wives Day, to be celebrated again in 2019.

Visit www.goldstarwives.org for more information about Gold Star Wives or join the Facebook group called Friends of Gold Star Wives - https://www.facebook.com/GoldStarWives/.