Hal Snyder
Army Survivor Outreach Services
HalSnyder/210-466-1169/hal.s.snyder.civ@mail.mil
UNCLASSIFIED
05May13
AGENDA
• Purpose
• Gold Star Lapel Button
• Next of Kin Lapel Button
• The Service Flag
• Heirloom Chest
• Other Forms of Recognition
HalSnyder/210-466-1169/hal.s.snyder.civ@mail.mil
UNCLASSIFIED
05May13
PURPOSE
To facilitate awareness among the military and civilian
communities of the significance and protocol surrounding the
symbols of honor bestowed on Survivors of a loved one who has
died while serving in the armed forces of the United States.
HalSnyder/210-466-1169/hal.s.snyder.civ@mail.mil
UNCLASSIFIED
05May13
ASK YOURSELF:
Do I know the meaning of this symbol?
Do others on my military installation,
and in my community, know what sacrifice was paid in
order to wear this button (pin)?
HalSnyder/210-466-1169/hal.s.snyder.civ@mail.mil
UNCLASSIFIED
05May13
THE GOLD STAR LAPEL BUTTON
“The Gold Star Lapel button consists of a gold star
one-quarter inch in diameter, on a purple disc threequarters of an inch in diameter, within a wreath of
gold laurel leaves.”
“The Gold Star…
is a sobering
reminder that we are
at war and that
freedom is not free.”
- STEPHANIE
GLOVER, SURVIVOR
“Established by Act of Congress, Public Law 80-306,
in August 1947 for appropriate identification of
Survivors of WWI & WWII and subsequent armed
hostilities of the United States.”
Code of Federal Regulations,
Title 32, National defense, Chapter V,
Department of the Army (32CFR578.63),
Army Regulation 600-8-22
HalSnyder/210-466-1169/hal.s.snyder.civ@mail.mil
UNCLASSIFIED
05May13
THE GOLD STAR LAPEL BUTTON
Criteria to Issue :
Presented to Family members of Soldiers who die
while deployed in support of Overseas Contingency
Operations, or who die from wounds sustained
in theater
Everyone has
their own way
of grieving.
HalSnyder/210-466-1169/hal.s.snyder.civ@mail.mil
Eligible Survivors/Family Members:
The widow or widower, each parent, each child,
stepchild, child through adoption, brother, half–
brother, sister, and half–sister are entitled to receive
and wear a Gold Star Lapel Button in recognition of
their loss and the sacrifice of their loved one
UNCLASSIFIED
05May13
THE GOLD STAR LAPEL BUTTON
Eligible Survivors/Family members (continued):
The term “widow or widower” includes those
who have since remarried.
Recognize,
Respect
and Honor
Survivors
for their
Resilient Spirit.
HalSnyder/210-466-1169/hal.s.snyder.civ@mail.mil
The term “parents” includes mother, father,
stepmother, stepfather, mother through
adoption, father through adoption, and foster
parents who stood in loco parentis
UNCLASSIFIED
05May13
THE GOLD STAR LAPEL BUTTON
• Uniformed Survivors are authorized to wear the Gold
Star pin on their Army Green or Blue
uniforms - All Army Activities (ALARACT)
Message -100-2008
Symbols
that remind us
of those
who paid the
ultimate sacrifice.
HalSnyder/210-466-1169/hal.s.snyder.civ@mail.mil
UNCLASSIFIED
05May13
NEXT OF KIN LAPEL BUTTON
“The Next of Kin Lapel Button consists of a gold star within a
circle (commemorating honorable service) surrounded by sprigs of
oak.”
“Presented to widows(ers), parents, and primary next of kin of armed
services members who lose their lives while serving on active duty or
while assigned in an Army Reserve or Army National Guard unit in a
drill status. Authorized for issue retroactive to March 29, 1973.”
Code of Federal Regulations, Title 32, National Defense, Chapter V, Department of the Army (32CFR578.63); Army
Regulation 600-8-22
HalSnyder/210-466-1169/hal.s.snyder.civ@mail.mil
UNCLASSIFIED
05May13
GOLD STAR PINS
Nobody wins a Gold Star Pin
It is not an award or a medal
It is never considered a fashion accessory
Gold Star Pins are presented and worn in honor of their Service
Member’s service and sacrifice
HalSnyder/210-466-1169/hal.s.snyder.civ@mail.mil
UNCLASSIFIED
05May13
SERVICE FLAGS
HalSnyder/210-466-1169/hal.s.snyder.civ@mail.mil
UNCLASSIFIED
05May13
SERVICE FLAGS
• The Blue Star Service Flag: Represents Hope and
Pride. Patented by Army CPT Robert Queissner in
1917 to recognize his two sons serving in the
military.
• The Gold Star Service Flag: Represents sacrifice
for the cause of liberty and freedom. Created in
1918 after President Woodrow Wilson approved a
suggestion allowing mothers who lost a child
serving in the war to wear a gold gilt star on the
traditional black mourning arm band.
http://www.tradoc.army.mil/pao/tnsarchives/February05
/025105.htm
HalSnyder/210-466-1169/hal.s.snyder.civ@mail.mil
UNCLASSIFIED
05May13
SERVICE FLAGS
• Authorized by Congressional Act 36 U.S.C. 179-182 (1967)
• Usually displayed in a window of a home where an
immediate Family member of a service member resides.
Service flags may be displayed for the duration of the conflict.
• The number of blue stars corresponds to the number of
individuals from the immediate Family who currently serve in
the Armed Forces.
• The flag may be displayed vertically or horizontally
• A horizontally displayed flag will have the stars arranged in
a horizontal line with one star point up
HalSnyder/210-466-1169/hal.s.snyder.civ@mail.mil
UNCLASSIFIED
05May13
SERVICE FLAGS
• If an individual is killed or dies while serving,
(from causes other than dishonorable) the star
representing that individual will have a gold star
placed over the blue so that the blue forms a
border.
Note: Blue border around the Gold Star on the Flag
at the left.
http://www.tioh.hqda.pentagon.mil/FAQs/fact_sheet.aspx
HalSnyder/210-466-1169/hal.s.snyder.civ@mail.mil
UNCLASSIFIED
05May13
SERVICE FLAGS
• Organizations may also display service flags. These include,
but are not limited to: churches, schools, colleges, fraternities,
sororities, societies, and places of business from which the
member of the Armed Forces was or is associated.
5
• Instead of using a separate star for each member, one star
may be used with the number of the members indicated by blue
Arabic numerals placed below the star.
• If any members are killed or died while serving, from causes
other than dishonorable, a smaller gold star will be placed over
the blue with Arabic numerals below to indicate the number of
Fallen.
http://www.tioh.hqda.pentagon.mil/FAQs/fact_sheet.aspx
HalSnyder/210-466-1169/hal.s.snyder.civ@mail.mil
UNCLASSIFIED
05May13
SERVICE FLAGS
Display
• The service flag shall be treated with dignity and respect. When
displayed with the flag of the United States, the service flag shall
be of approximately equal size but never larger than the flag of
the United States. The flag of the United States will occupy the
position of honor.
• When the service flag is displayed other than by being flown
from a staff, it will be suspended either horizontally or vertically.
• The flag will not be embroidered on such articles as cushions,
handkerchiefs, or otherwise printed on anything that is designed
for temporary use and discarded; or used as any portion of a
costume or athletic uniform.
http://www.tioh.hqda.pentagon.mil/FAQs/fact_sheet.aspx
HalSnyder/210-466-1169/hal.s.snyder.civ@mail.mil
UNCLASSIFIED
05May13
The Heirloom Chest
HalSnyder/210-466-1169/hal.s.snyder.civ@mail.mil
UNCLASSIFIED
05May13
Ways We Honor and Remember
The Heirloom Personal Effects Chest”
Presented to Families of Fallen Service Members, the
Heirloom Chest honors the memory of those who have died
while serving to protect our Nation.
Since October 2007, the Army has presented the Heirloom
Chest to the Person Eligible to Receive the Effects of Fallen
Soldiers regardless of component, manner or place of
death.
It can be used to store and protect the Service Member's
uniform, awards, official letters, Army documents and other
sentimental memorabilia contained in the Soldier's effects.
HalSnyder/210-466-1169/hal.s.snyder.civ@mail.mil
UNCLASSIFIED
05May13
The Heirloom Chest
HalSnyder/210-466-1169/hal.s.snyder.civ@mail.mil
UNCLASSIFIED
05May13
How have you honored and remembered?
HalSnyder/210-466-1169/hal.s.snyder.civ@mail.mil
UNCLASSIFIED
05May13
Ways We Honor and Remember
HalSnyder/210-466-1169/hal.s.snyder.civ@mail.mil
UNCLASSIFIED
05May13
Ways We Honor and Remember
HalSnyder/210-466-1169/hal.s.snyder.civ@mail.mil
UNCLASSIFIED
05May13
Ways We Honor and Remember
HalSnyder/210-466-1169/hal.s.snyder.civ@mail.mil
UNCLASSIFIED
05May13
Ways We Honor and Remember
HalSnyder/210-466-1169/hal.s.snyder.civ@mail.mil
UNCLASSIFIED
05May13
Ways We Honor and Remember
HalSnyder/210-466-1169/hal.s.snyder.civ@mail.mil
UNCLASSIFIED
05May13
Ways We Honor and Remember
2012 US Army
Soldier Show
HalSnyder/210-466-1169/hal.s.snyder.civ@mail.mil
UNCLASSIFIED
05May13
Ways We Honor and Remember
HalSnyder/210-466-1169/hal.s.snyder.civ@mail.mil
UNCLASSIFIED
05May13
Recent Survivor Events
Since September 2012, SOS Support Coordinators and Financial Counselors have
coordinated and participated in over 1,233 events with approximately 65,000 Survivors
and others in attendance.
More than 650 Survivors attended Churchill Down’s 3rd annual Survivor’s Day
at the Races, coordinated by Survivor Outreach Services and sponsored by
Humana Military Healthcare Services and Churchill Downs. The highlight of
the day came after the fourth race when Survivors were recognized in the
winner’s circle. This is likely the second largest Survivor event in the country
behind Snowball Express.
Snowball Express, now in its seventh year, offers hope, joy and new
memories via five-day, all-expense-paid trips to Dallas, Texas. More than
1,700 children and spouses of Fallen military participated in this year’s
event along with Texas SOS Support Coordinators and IMCOM HQ SOS
staff.
Wreaths Across America nearly 200,000 volunteers across the country and
overseas at 825 locations, placed 420,000 remembrance wreaths on the
headstones of our nation’s Fallen military.
HalSnyder/210-466-1169/hal.s.snyder.civ@mail.mil
05May13
These are just a few of the ways we recognize and honor our
Survivors and the ultimate sacrifice of our men and women in uniform.
There are many other ways in which an installation and community
can honor both the Fallen and our Survivors.
HalSnyder/210-466-1169/hal.s.snyder.civ@mail.mil
UNCLASSIFIED
05May13