Q: Am I a Gold Star Mother?
Only the Department of Defense can answer this question for you. We can tell you if you are eligible for membership in AGSM. Our eligibility criteria are as follows:
Per Article IV of our Constitution:
Per Article IV of our Constitution:
ARTICLE IV
Eligibility and Membership
Sec. 1. Natural Mothers or adoptive mothers who were citizens or legal residents of the United States or the Territorial and Insular Possessions of the United States at the time of their sons' or daughters' induction into the United States Armed Forces and whose sons or daughters became missing in action, died while on active duty or died as a result of such service are eligible for membership in American Gold Star Mothers, Inc.
Sec. 2. Stepmothers who are citizens or legal residents of the United States or the Territorial and Insular Possessions of the United States who assumed the responsibility of a son or daughter under the age of fifteen years and reared this son or daughter who served and was missing in action, died while on active duty or as a result of such service, are eligible for membership in American Gold Star Mothers, Inc.
. . .
Sec. 7. Gold Star Fathers, Gold Star Siblings, Gold Star Grandparents and Gold Star Stepfathers are eligible to join as Associate Members. They pay no dues, hold no office, and have no vote, but may be appointed as a Deputy to the representative at the VA Medical Center.
Eligibility and Membership
Sec. 1. Natural Mothers or adoptive mothers who were citizens or legal residents of the United States or the Territorial and Insular Possessions of the United States at the time of their sons' or daughters' induction into the United States Armed Forces and whose sons or daughters became missing in action, died while on active duty or died as a result of such service are eligible for membership in American Gold Star Mothers, Inc.
Sec. 2. Stepmothers who are citizens or legal residents of the United States or the Territorial and Insular Possessions of the United States who assumed the responsibility of a son or daughter under the age of fifteen years and reared this son or daughter who served and was missing in action, died while on active duty or as a result of such service, are eligible for membership in American Gold Star Mothers, Inc.
. . .
Sec. 7. Gold Star Fathers, Gold Star Siblings, Gold Star Grandparents and Gold Star Stepfathers are eligible to join as Associate Members. They pay no dues, hold no office, and have no vote, but may be appointed as a Deputy to the representative at the VA Medical Center.
Q: What benefits are there to joining AGSM?
We are a Veterans Service Organization. Our mission statement is “Finding the strength in the fellowship of other Gold Star Mothers who strive to keep the memory of our sons and daughters alive by working to help veterans, those currently serving in the military, their families, and our communities.”
The founding members of AGSM placed an emphasis on doing volunteer work with veterans in general and veterans' hospitals in particular and generally fostering a sense of patriotism and respect for members of the Armed Forces. Throughout the years since 1928, we have continued this service. Our members volunteer thousands of hours each year in VA facilities and in other areas in their communities.
We discover the power of shared grief. We speak a language born of loss and find comfort in each other. Together, we carry the weight of sorrow, and it becomes a little lighter. We maintain the ties of fellowship born of that service, assist each other and further all patriotic work.
Membership in AGSM does not carry any benefits such as discounts at a particular business, entitlement to payments from the US Government or any state or local government.
The founding members of AGSM placed an emphasis on doing volunteer work with veterans in general and veterans' hospitals in particular and generally fostering a sense of patriotism and respect for members of the Armed Forces. Throughout the years since 1928, we have continued this service. Our members volunteer thousands of hours each year in VA facilities and in other areas in their communities.
We discover the power of shared grief. We speak a language born of loss and find comfort in each other. Together, we carry the weight of sorrow, and it becomes a little lighter. We maintain the ties of fellowship born of that service, assist each other and further all patriotic work.
Membership in AGSM does not carry any benefits such as discounts at a particular business, entitlement to payments from the US Government or any state or local government.
Q: Why do I have to pay dues?
We are a membership-based Veterans Service Organization. The small amount of revenue we receive from dues are used for items such as publishing our newsletter, providing grants to our chapters and emergency funds grants to our members.
Q: What is a service-connected death?
A service-connected death, in the context of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), occurs when a veteran's death is attributable to a disability that was acquired or worsened during their military service. In more detail, a service-connected death means the VA considers the veteran's death to be a result of a disability directly related to their military service. This can include deaths directly resulting from a service-connected injury or illness or when a service-connected disability either directly caused or contributed substantially to and materially hastened the veteran's death.
In short, only the VA or Department of Defense can make the decision if a death is service-connected.
In short, only the VA or Department of Defense can make the decision if a death is service-connected.
Q: Why do Gold Star Mothers wear white?
Wearing white is a time-honored tradition of the American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. While black is a traditional color of mourning, the decision to wear white, rather than black, denotes the celebration of our children’s goodness, innocence, and sacrifice. Our National Convention, Department Conventions, and Chapter Meetings call for the wearing of white as suggested attire, not a requirement.
Wearing white should be in keeping with the dress code of the occasion (i.e., casual, business, or formal). Associate Members and guests may choose to wear patriotic attire in keeping with the dress code of the occasion at which the Mothers are dressed in white.
Wearing white should be in keeping with the dress code of the occasion (i.e., casual, business, or formal). Associate Members and guests may choose to wear patriotic attire in keeping with the dress code of the occasion at which the Mothers are dressed in white.
Q: Does AGSM have and/or support political affiliations?
Under the Internal Revenue Code, all Section 501(c)(3) organizations are absolutely prohibited from directly or indirectly participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for elective public office. Contributions to
political campaign funds or public statements of position (verbal or written) made on behalf of AGSM in favor of or in opposition to any candidate for public office clearly violate the prohibition against political campaign activity. Violating this prohibition may result in denial or revocation of tax-exempt status and the imposition of certain excise taxes.
American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. is almost 100 years old. AGSM, Inc., will NOT jeopardize our standing as an organization by engaging in political comment. We are a Congressionally chartered VETERANS SERVICE ORGANIZATION, not a political organization.
Individual members have their right to free speech but may not make any statements that would infer they are stating an official position of the organization and should not make reference to their affiliation with AGSM while making such statements. These statements are not the position of American Gold Star Mothers, Inc., and should not be interpreted as such.
political campaign funds or public statements of position (verbal or written) made on behalf of AGSM in favor of or in opposition to any candidate for public office clearly violate the prohibition against political campaign activity. Violating this prohibition may result in denial or revocation of tax-exempt status and the imposition of certain excise taxes.
American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. is almost 100 years old. AGSM, Inc., will NOT jeopardize our standing as an organization by engaging in political comment. We are a Congressionally chartered VETERANS SERVICE ORGANIZATION, not a political organization.
Individual members have their right to free speech but may not make any statements that would infer they are stating an official position of the organization and should not make reference to their affiliation with AGSM while making such statements. These statements are not the position of American Gold Star Mothers, Inc., and should not be interpreted as such.
Q: Can all members attend and participate in events in DC on national holidays?
The National Executive Board publishes a tentative schedule of events they will be participating in on national holidays in Washington, DC, along with information for any member who would like to attend. Some events require us to provide the number of people participating and others are open to the public. Members who are interested in participating in these events should contact the National Service Officer (NSO) for more details.
Q: How do I start a new chapter?
A minimum of five eligible Gold Star Mothers is required to charter a new chapter. If no chapter exists in your area and you desire to establish a new chapter, contact our National Service Officer (NSO) at [email protected] to get the current charter application.