Gold Star Wives of America

Washington, DC
May 24, 2007

Gold Star Wives of America is the premier organization for America's military widows and widowers, and reminds those of us in Congress about the unique needs of those whose loved ones have paid the ultimate price.

Rose Lee, who chairs the Gold Star Wives Committee on Government Relations, stopped by to thank me and my staff for the work we have done to ensure the benefits and quality of service provided to surviving spouses and children of those who died in the line of duty is top notch.

In 2005, the first veterans benefits hearing I conducted as Chairman of the Committee examined the needs of those who had lost husbands and wives in combat. At the hearing the I called for a "one-stop" shop which widows and widowers could turn to learn of the benefits available to them.

As a direct result of that hearing, the Department of Veterans Affairs established a website which provides quick links to information to those who spouses either died in combat or after service in the military.