1. HalSnyder/210-466-1169/hal.s.snyder.civ@mail.mil05May13 Hal Snyder Army Survivor Outreach Services UNCLASSIFIED

2. HalSnyder/210-466-1169/hal.s.snyder.civ@mail.mil05May13 Purpose Gold Star Lapel Button Next of Kin Lapel Button The Service Flag Heirloom Chest Other Forms of Recognition AGENDA UNCLASSIFIED

3. HalSnyder/210-466-1169/hal.s.snyder.civ@mail.mil05May13 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. UNCLASSIFIED

4. HalSnyder/210-466-1169/hal.s.snyder.civ@mail.mil05May13 ASK YOURSELF: UNCLASSIFIED 4 of 18 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)?

5. HalSnyder/210-466-1169/hal.s.snyder.civ@mail.mil05May13 The Gold Star Lapel button consists of a gold star one-quarter inch in diameter, on a purple disc three- quarters 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 THE GOLD STAR LAPEL BUTTON 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 UNCLASSIFIED

6. HalSnyder/210-466-1169/hal.s.snyder.civ@mail.mil05May13 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 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 THE GOLD STAR LAPEL BUTTON Everyone has their own way of grieving.

7. HalSnyder/210-466-1169/hal.s.snyder.civ@mail.mil05May13 Eligible Survivors/Family members (continued): The term widow or widower includes those who have since remarried. The term parents includes mother, father, stepmother, stepfather, mother through adoption, father through adoption, and foster parents who stood in loco parentis UNCLASSIFIED THE GOLD STAR LAPEL BUTTON Recognize, Respect and Honor Survivors for their Resilient Spirit.

8. HalSnyder/210-466-1169/hal.s.snyder.civ@mail.mil05May13 Uniformed Survivors are authorized to wear the Gold Star pin on their Army Green or Blue uniforms - All Army Activities (ALARACT) Message -100-2008 UNCLASSIFIED THE GOLD STAR LAPEL BUTTON Symbols that remind us of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

9. HalSnyder/210-466-1169/hal.s.snyder.civ@mail.mil05May13 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 The Next of Kin Lapel Button consists of a gold star within a circle (commemorating honorable service) surrounded by sprigs of oak. UNCLASSIFIED NEXT OF KIN LAPEL BUTTON

10. HalSnyder/210-466-1169/hal.s.snyder.civ@mail.mil05May13 UNCLASSIFIED 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 Members service and sacrifice

11. HalSnyder/210-466-1169/hal.s.snyder.civ@mail.mil05May13 SERVICE FLAGS UNCLASSIFIED

12. HalSnyder/210-466-1169/hal.s.snyder.civ@mail.mil05May13 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 UNCLASSIFIED

13. HalSnyder/210-466-1169/hal.s.snyder.civ@mail.mil05May13 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 UNCLASSIFIED SERVICE FLAGS

14. HalSnyder/210-466-1169/hal.s.snyder.civ@mail.mil05May13 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 UNCLASSIFIED SERVICE FLAGS

15. HalSnyder/210-466-1169/hal.s.snyder.civ@mail.mil05May13 http://www.tioh.hqda.pentagon.mil/FAQs/fact_sheet.aspx 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. 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. 5 UNCLASSIFIED SERVICE FLAGS

16. HalSnyder/210-466-1169/hal.s.snyder.civ@mail.mil05May13 http://www.tioh.hqda.pentagon.mil/FAQs/fact_sheet.aspx 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. UNCLASSIFIED SERVICE FLAGS

17. HalSnyder/210-466-1169/hal.s.snyder.civ@mail.mil05May13 The Heirloom Chest UNCLASSIFIED

18. HalSnyder/210-466-1169/hal.s.snyder.civ@mail.mil05May13 Ways We Honor and Remember UNCLASSIFIED 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.

19. HalSnyder/210-466-1169/hal.s.snyder.civ@mail.mil05May13 The Heirloom Chest UNCLASSIFIED

20. HalSnyder/210-466-1169/hal.s.snyder.civ@mail.mil05May13 How have you honored and remembered? UNCLASSIFIED

21. HalSnyder/210-466-1169/hal.s.snyder.civ@mail.mil05May13 Ways We Honor and Remember UNCLASSIFIED

22. HalSnyder/210-466-1169/hal.s.snyder.civ@mail.mil05May13 Ways We Honor and Remember UNCLASSIFIED

23. HalSnyder/210-466-1169/hal.s.snyder.civ@mail.mil05May13 Ways We Honor and Remember UNCLASSIFIED

24. HalSnyder/210-466-1169/hal.s.snyder.civ@mail.mil05May13 Ways We Honor and Remember UNCLASSIFIED

25. HalSnyder/210-466-1169/hal.s.snyder.civ@mail.mil05May13 Ways We Honor and Remember UNCLASSIFIED

26. HalSnyder/210-466-1169/hal.s.snyder.civ@mail.mil05May13 Ways We Honor and Remember UNCLASSIFIED 2012 US Army Soldier Show

27. HalSnyder/210-466-1169/hal.s.snyder.civ@mail.mil05May13 Ways We Honor and Remember UNCLASSIFIED

28. HalSnyder/210-466-1169/hal.s.snyder.civ@mail.mil05May13 Recent Survivor Events 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 years 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 nations Fallen military. 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 Downs 3 rd annual Survivors 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 winners circle. This is likely the second largest Survivor event in the country behind Snowball Express.

29. HalSnyder/210-466-1169/hal.s.snyder.civ@mail.mil05May13 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. UNCLASSIFIED