SEAN WALSH/CCB MEDIA PHOTO
The Korean War Veterans Memorial in Hyannis.
BARNSTABLE – A provision written by US Congressman William Keating was passed Friday in Washington by the House of Representatives.
The Gold Star Families Equality Act is meant to provide equal benefits to the parents of deceased servicemen and women across all branches of the military.
Keating, who comes from a Gold Star family, wrote the provision after talking with two struggling fellow Gold Star families.
The provision is part of the National Defense Authorization Act.
The Keating Provision supports the creation of Gold Star Family Cards, which would be a new form of identification and serve as credentials for Gold Star Families, allowing them installation access and providing them with verification to take advantage of any discounts given to these families.
“I come from a Gold Star family, and I know how important and honorable the title Gold Star Mother was to my grandmother,” said Keating. “My father later became a veterans benefits agent and together they instilled in me the importance of fighting for our military families, especially those who had a loved one make the ultimate sacrifice. Last year, two Gold Star families reached out to me to recount some of the challenges they were facing—one of these challenges, I believe, can be relieved by the creation of a Gold Star Family Card. Gold Star spouses and parents, for example, should not be made to feel uncomfortable or explain their family history to gain access to discounts that are offered by many admirable companies and businesses. Having a Gold Star Family Card will provide survivors with the respect and recognition they deserve without any explanation needed.”
The Gold Star Family Card will be modeled after a currently existing Army program, but will extend across all branches of the Armed Forces. These cards also provide entry to military installations for events and memorials.
Keating’s work to help Gold Star Families gain recognition and access first started last Memorial Day when he authored and introduced the Gold Star Families Equality Act, which was endorsed by AMVETS. That legislation was the product of multiple conversations between Keating and two local Gold Star families. The Gold Star parents are denied commissary and retail benefits afforded to other next of kin as well as access to installation events.
“While the provision that passed the House today does not allow access to commissary and exchange benefits, it is an important first step in that direction, and I will keep fighting for the additional benefits our Gold Star Families deserve,” said Keating.
Specifically, the Gold Star Families Equality Act would provide equal recognition and benefits for the surviving parents of service men and women from all branches of the Armed Forces who have died while serving on active or reserve duty. The benefits include the availability to shop at the same commissary, exchange, and retail stores currently being used by members of the Armed Forces. In order to streamline the process, this legislation first suggested the creation of Gold Star Family Cards.
Keating has long been an advocate for Gold Star families. One of his first acts was to create a Gold Star Families Guide with useful information on benefits afforded to Gold Star Families living in the commonwealth.
