The Department of War has initiated a groundbreaking endeavor with the inaugural meeting of the Gold Star Advisory Council (GSAC) on Monday.
This council provides a unique platform for families of fallen service members to engage directly with senior military officials, ensuring their voices are heard at the highest levels of decision-making.
"Today marks the first time a Gold Star Advisory Council convened at the Secretary of War level," Secretary of War Pete Hegseth stated in an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital. "This council is long overdue for Gold Star families to elevate their voices directly to Department leadership, tackle real concerns, and transform the casualty process for good.
It has my full backing to call out the failures, shake up the bureaucratic status quo, and drive the changes that will stick." As reported by Fox News, the GSAC was established in May through a memorandum signed by Hegseth, with the mission of honoring the ultimate sacrifice of Americas warfighters and ensuring that the families left behind are never forgotten.
The council, which will convene at least twice annually, is tasked with providing policy recommendations, holding the department accountable, and offering a permanent forum for Gold Star families to voice their concerns and propose solutions. The co-vice chairs of the council include Under Secretary of War for Personnel and Readiness Anthony Tata and Jane Horton, a Gold Star wife and senior advisor to the Secretary of War.
Their combined expertise and personal experiences bring a unique perspective to the council's mission.
"Gold Star Families are vital to our military community and our mission," Tata remarked to Fox News Digital. "Their strength and resilience are truly inspiring and emblematic of the warrior ethos that we strive to promote throughout the Total Force.
The Gold Star Advisory Council is a testament to their enduring service to our nation." Tata emphasized the council's role in maintaining the memory of fallen service members and fulfilling the promise to care for their families.
Tata also commended Horton for her "extraordinary efforts" in elevating Gold Star families by "telling their stories, and keeping the memories of our fallen heroes alive." He expressed gratitude for her "advocacy, representation, and leadership."
Horton reinforced the councils mission-driven purpose, echoing the sentiments of Hegseth and Tata. "The Secretarys charge is clear: every warrior must know that if the worst should happen, their family will never be forgotten, and their sacrifice will never be overlooked," she stated to Fox News Digital.
"The Gold Star Advisory Council exists to create real, lasting change. We are not symbolic. We are a mission-driven body of Gold Star Families and senior leaders focused on reforming the systems that shape casualty assistance, long-term care, and how our nation honors the fallen."
The council's strength lies in the resolve of those who have endured profound loss yet continue to lead. Their commitment to serving the memory of their loved ones and ensuring that their sacrifices are honored is a testament to the enduring spirit of the American military family.
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