Gold Star families bill seeks to double military death gratuity amount
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Gold Star families face a life shaped by loss, from the moment the doorbell rings to the moment you pick up the folded American flag. Last week, we celebrated Gold Star Spouses Day on April 5th. April is also Military Child Month. I invite you to reflect on the sacrifices of our military families, especially those whose loved ones have made the ultimate sacrifice.
Losing a loved one while serving our country has different effects. These families are asked to move on strong and with dignity, embodying the ideals that their loved ones fought to defend. This is often called an honor that no one wants.
I recently had the privilege of meeting members of the Gold Star Wives of America at my office in Washington, DC. Their resilience, grace and determination in advocating for military families left a lasting impression. Their stories are powerful reminders of the human cost of service.
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The sacrifice of our military families cannot be overstated. Each soldier lost comes with ripple effects; Lives are turned upside down, futures are derailed and families are left with only memories and a folded flag.
As the father of a beautiful little girl, I cannot even imagine the pain of losing a child. A Gold Star mother recently told my office about losing her son to an IED in Afghanistan in 2010. “Increasing death benefits will help new Gold Star Families in many ways,” he said. According to him, this first bridge payment helped cover travel expenses for family members who wanted to pay their respects; for others, it helped cover funeral expenses or other outstanding bills.
The sacrifice of our military families cannot be overstated. Each soldier lost comes with ripple effects; Lives are turned upside down, futures are derailed and families are left with only memories and a folded flag.
The pain does not end after the funeral. Families are forced to confront the reality that their loved one may never have another birthday or celebrate another Christmas. Spouses will mourn their anniversaries and will have to decide when or if they will stop wearing wedding rings.
Gold Star children will have to live with disappointment for the rest of their lives, facing the reality of walking down the aisle without a father or choosing a wedding dress without a mother. These are all tragic possibilities that every soldier knows he risks when he enlists for service, and they are realities that many must face.
A girl reacts in front of a headstone during Memorial Day as visitors remember veterans and those lost in war at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, United States, May 31, 2021. (Reuters)
Beyond the emotional challenges, there are also practical concerns. Young spouses often put their own careers on hold to support their military husbands. When the worst happens, they now need to figure out how to support themselves and their children financially and find ways to cope with the extreme pain.
The reality these families face underscores a critical question: Why hasn’t survivor benefits kept pace with modern needs? The initial payment families receive upon the death of a loved one has not been updated in more than 20 years. Other benefits, including social security, military retirement, and federal pensions, have been adjusted for inflation, but “death gratuity” payments are not available for our military families. It’s time to right this wrong.
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That’s why I introduced the bipartisan Honoring Our Nation’s Obligation to Remember (HONOR) Gold Star Families Act. This legislation would increase the military death gratuity, often called a bridge payment, for families of deceased soldiers from $100,000 to $200,000.
The bill also adds a cost-of-living adjustment that would ensure future payments automatically increase with inflation, helping to ensure continued support for Gold Star families over time. This legislation was introduced by Armed Services Committee members Jen Kiggans, R-Va. and co-chaired by Jill Tokuda, D-Hawaii. It is also endorsed by Gold Star Mothers of America, Gold Star Wives of America, Military Veterans Advocacy, and the National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS).
Recent losses remind us that this burden continues. Take the recent conflict with Iran, in which 13 soldiers lost their lives. One of those soldiers was 35-year-old Captain Cody Khork. based on According to his family, he was extremely patriotic and was defined by his “love of the country”.
Another soldier who lost his life was Sergeant. 1st Class Nicole Amor. HE survived by a son who is a senior in high school and a daughter who is a fourth-year. Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert Marzan was also killed in the conflict.
his nephew wrote on Facebook. “You are our Hero, you lead with your servant’s heart, with love and courage, you made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, you are an honorable soldier, and I believe God welcomed you Home with open arms and a ‘Well done son, well done’.”
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The loss and pain these families are experiencing right now is immeasurable, but we can keep them in our prayers and support them in a meaningful way as they suffer.
That’s why I made the HONOR Gold Star Families Act retroactive. My bill will apply to all families who lost loved ones in Operation Epic Fury, regardless of when my bill becomes law.
Our Gold Star mothers, fathers, children, spouses and siblings gave so much for our nation. It’s time to give them our due, and this bill is just one way to do that.
