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What is a Gold Star Family?


The Department of Defense specifies that Gold star family members may be identified as a spouse, parents, children, siblings, stepparents, stepchildren, stepsiblings, half-siblings, adopted parents, adopted children, and adopted siblings of a United States service member that has lost their lives on active duty. 

Gold Star Families Memorial Monument

The Gold Star Family Memorial was created by Medal of Honor Recipient Hershel "Woody" Williams to remember those families who have made the ultimate sacrifice. The stunning black granite monument features two sides pictured above:

One side bears the words: 

Gold Star Families Memorial Monument, A tribute to Gold Star Families and Relatives who have sacrificed a loved one for our freedom.

At the Center of this tribute is the most distinctive feature of the monument, the silhouette which represents the Loved One who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the name of Freedom.


The other side tells a story through the four granite panels: Homeland, Family, Patriot, and Sacrifice. Each monument is customized to its community. 

What is the Gold Star Families Memorial Monument

The monument is inscribed with "Gold Star Families Memorial 
Monument, a tribute to Gold Star Families and Relatives who sacrificed a loved one for our freedom." A silhouette of a saluting service member represents the fallen hero who has paid the ultimate sacrifice. 


The Hershel "Woody" Williams Medal of Honor Foundation was formed in 2010 and is a charitable 501(c)(3) not for profit organization that pursues the vision of Medal of Honor recipient Hershel "Woody" Williams. Woody realized that when a loved one made the ultimate sacrifice in the military, the loss was to the entire family, relatives, and children. The Gold Star Memorial Monument project thus began as a way to acknowledge and thank Gold Star Families for their enduring sacrifice while ensuring that their fallen heroes shall never be forgotten


About Gold Star Memorial Foundation - Lacey

The Gold Star Memorial Foundation (GSMF) is a 501c(3) nonprofit that seeks to memorialize the dedication and sacrifice of our local families whose loved one has paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms. Our values and mission are aligned with that of our parent organization's mission statement which states, "To honor, recognize, and serve the Gold Star Families and the legacy of their loved ones who have paid the ultimate sacrifice." Our organization is 100% volunteer-driven, allowing for all proceeds donated go solely towards the establishment of the Gold Star Memorial Monument. 


The future home of Lacey's Gold Star Memorial Monument will be located at 521 Sleater Kinney Road, right in the heart of the city in Civic Plaza.

The location was generously provided by the City of Lacey for this project.  


The purpose of the Gold Star Families Memorial Monument is to honor Gold Star Families and Veterans and to preserve the memory of the fallen and stand as a stark reminder that Freedom is not free. The objective is to provide a monument that will be a place that Veterans, families, and friends can pay tribute to service members that served our nation. This monument will honor all service members that died while serving in the military service, or died as a result of that service, or are missing in action.


Gold Star Memorial Foundation Lacey

Here's what we've been working on

Take a Look at Our Gallery

Our Team

Michael Jameson 

President


Michael Steadman

Vice President 

Lacey City Council member

Steadman Properties, CEO

United States Marine-Sgt


Jerry Wilkins

Board Member

Treasurer

I was asked to get involved in this endeavor recently and I gladly do so. Having spent thirty-two years in the service myself, I am honored to support the effort as a way for a veteran to serve veterans. The local area that is so populated with veterans and active duty members and there is a need of a memorial honoring Gold Star families and their fallen loved ones. I look forward to the partnership of the Gold Star families and supportive local veteran’s organizations taking this first step toward building this Gold Star Family Memorial Monument. The monument is an example of the community coming together in support of Gold Star families and veterans

Our Team

Allen Acosta

Board Member


Ed Kunkel Jr. 

Lacey City Council Member

Real Estate Broker/ Agent

Board Member

Secretary


Michelle Black

Board Member

Gold Star Spouse

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