Liberty’s Military Affairs Office recognizes spouses of fallen service members on Gold Star Spouses Day

In recognition of Gold Star Spouses Day, Liberty University’s Military Affairs Office honored the spouses of the school’s fallen heroes on Tuesday, April 5, praying peace over all of the university’s families who have been through this type of pain and tragedy.

The office posted its sentiments on all of its social media platforms.

The tradition was born out of an organization known as Gold Star Wives, which began operating before the end of World War II, and the Gold Star lapel button, awarded by the military to surviving family members, was established in the summer of 1947. In 2013, the U.S. Senate designated April 5 as Gold Star Wives Day (later called Gold Star Spouses Day) in recognition of the sacrifices made by spouses and family members of our fallen heroes. Many state and local communities also formally recognize April 5.

Over the years, Military Affairs staff members have had many students going through heartache and loss reach out for assistance. The office staff recalls assisting a military spouse whose husband had recently passed away in the line of duty, was raising a young child, and had moved home with her family but longed to return to school to pursue her master’s degree in counseling. As she dealt with the tragic loss and the move, the Military Affairs staff was able to guide her through the admissions process, lifting up prayers along the way.

As a military-friendly school, Liberty offers the Heroes Fund Scholarship for both wounded service members, veterans, and the spouses of those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice. This funding is made available in part by the generous supporters of Liberty as well as university-funded aid. Two spouses of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice graduated in recent years because of the Heroes Fund Scholarship.

Military Affairs seeks to consistently foster community for their military culture. On Saturday, the office held its annual Military Family Fun Day where Liberty service members, veterans, and spouses were treated to free tubing, skiing, or snowboarding, as well as other activities for the whole family, at the Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre.