In a recent development, the White House is taking steps to reinstate a program for Gold Star families to honor their loved ones buried in American military cemeteries overseas. This decision comes after the program was highlighted in a CNN report, as confirmed by a White House official speaking exclusively to CNN.
The Biden administration has collaborated with the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) to revive the program, which allows Gold Star families to have flowers placed on the graves of their fallen family members in US military cemeteries abroad.
According to the official, “The White House worked with the ABMC and this program will now be re-established. It is expected to be included in the coming budget year.”
This program had been discontinued in 2015, causing disappointment among Gold Star families who lost loved ones in battle. The revival of the program was prompted by CNN’s coverage on the 80th anniversary of D-Day, where Rondy Elliott, a Gold Star daughter, shared her story of losing her father, Corporal Frank Elliott, during the Normandy invasion.
Reflecting on the importance of this initiative, the official emphasized that President Biden was deeply moved by the issue and acted swiftly to reinstate the program. Retired Marine General John Kelly, who advocated for the program’s reinstatement, expressed his support, stating that “this decision to reinstate the flowers program is simply the right thing to do.”
While it may take some time for the ABMC to reestablish the program after a decade of dismantlement, efforts are underway to ensure it is up and running by Fiscal Year 2025. Kelly further stressed that Americans owe everything to the service members who have sacrificed their lives for the country, emphasizing the importance of remembering and honoring their contributions on the battlefield.
