After a long summer of traveling, it is wonderful to be home. Travel broadens my horizons, but it also makes me so appreciative of the sight of my own front door.
This Sunday's Spouse Calls details a little of our trip. For more details you can read the Travelog here on the blog.
It was good for our family of five to spend time with our extended families back in the United States and to remember again how nice it is to come back home.
Where did you spend your summer? Where do you wish you had spent your summer? Take the poll below or add your own travel notes.
Widows
As a widow of a US Marine I am looking for a supplier who sales or makes rememberance items for widows.
Such as car decals, pins, hats, t-shirts, etc.
I want the world to know what a trememdous sacrifice my husband made for the rest of us but how can I share his sacrifice with everyone?
Does anyone know of such a compnany?
(p.s. Thanks to all the veteran who gave so much for our country, you are appreciated immensely.)
Thanks in advance.
Julie Painter, Atlanta, GA
USMC Widow
julpai21@charter.net
.
Gold Stars
Julie,
I'm so sorry for the loss of your husband, and I can appreciate your desire to remember his sacrifice in a tangible way.
A very traditional way of honoring your husband is by displaying a gold star flag at your home. The practice of families hanging a banner with a blue star for military service and a gold star for the ultimate sacrifice began in the first World War.
In 1945, an association called Gold Star Wives of America was formed by military widows who wanted to band together to support other widows. This organization is still in existence -- now including widows and widowers -- and may be a resource for some of the items you mentioned.
I checked in your state of Georgia and found that there is a special license plate for families who have lost a loved one in the military. They are called "Gold Star" plates, and Georgia only requires payment of the ad valorem tax for these plates.
Click here for a site with more information and a picture of the Georgia plates.
More than half of the states in the U.S. currently offer Gold Star plates for parents and spouses. Here is a site listing all the states offering plates and some with legislation pending to offer them.
I hope this is helpful to you, Julie. Thank you for your letter.
Sincerely,
Terri