Forever a Military Family: Gold Star Spouses and Kids
Gold Star Spouses Day is a designated day to honor the surviving loved ones of military service members. The first observance day was in 2010; by 2013, our nation recognized April 5 as the day to remember. At the National Military Family Association, this pledge to remember spouses and children of fallen service members has been part of our mission for more than 55 years. Our Association founders were compelled to act for their widowed friends in 1969, and that compulsion continues to carry through in all the work we do for military families.
As our years of advocacy and outreach continue, our Association remembers and honors the early inspiration that moved our hearts and minds into action—to stand up and strengthen all military families.
Through Loss Came Community
For Theresa Moore Castro and her son, Gold Star Spouses Day is more than a day honoring their fallen hero. It is a day that reminds them of their resiliency and community.
“Gold Star families learn to adapt to a new reality without our loved one being physically present,” she shared. “Our community provides a space where people who have gone through similar losses can grieve openly, as well as find resources that assist us in moving forward while still remembering our loved ones and their sacrifice.”
Theresa’s husband, Army Sgt. Jesse Castro was killed in action at the height of the Iraq war. She had delivered their first and only child, Jesse, two weeks before his passing. He never got to hold the son named after him. Entering a new reality with a newborn, Theresa was grateful for what was being done for her and similar families.
“In 2006, the services and resources provided were minimal, and widows had to navigate through a system that was not equipped to handle all the needs,” she recalled. “However, being from Guam, we are unique and established a tight-knit community among the families, military personnel, and outreach coordinators. We try to find out what is lacking and what works for families who have gone through such tragedies. It’s still a work in progress, but we have come a long way and are extremely grateful.”
18 Years Later and Facing the Future
In 2025, Theresa will be watching her son Jesse graduate from high school. He has grown into the clothes that his father left behind and made the same decision his dad made right after high school.
“Jesse decided to enlist in the US Navy,” Theresa shared with so much pride. “He leaves soon after graduation.”
With this major transition in her own life, Theresa shared that it is one that all Gold Star Spouses eventually face.
“Most recently, I’ve been thinking about the transition I’ll go through in regard to pay and benefits as my son now enters adulthood,” she shared. “I think a lot of answers are given to Gold Star families in the moment that our loved ones pass, but there are more questions that come about later in this journey that we seek answers for.”
Military Family Forever
Theresa’s words ring true for many military families that desire community, resources, and a voice to be heard. NMFA knows all military families, Gold Star families included, are military families forever. Our programming, such as Operation Purple® Camp and Military Spouse Scholarships, remain open to children and spouses of fallen service members.
Understanding military families is key to everything we do at NMFA. Our unwavering commitment to strengthening military families through empowering them in their communities and supporting their well-being, it reignites us during times like this, honoring Gold Star Spouses and Kids, and it will sustain us for another 55 years.
By: Angela Sablan Tenorio, Content Manager
