Gold Star base access ID cards were issued to three family members of fallen airmen at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, according to Air Force officials, as part of an ongoing initiative granting the families of fallen airmen unescorted access to Air Force installations.
"The chief of staff of the Air Force's interest in making sure our Gold Star families remain part of the Air Force community sparked the interest in this initiative," said Carla Diamond, an Air Force Headquarters community readiness consultant.
The Gold Star ID program, which gives family members access to visit buried loved ones, attend base events and visit airmen and Family Readiness Centers for emotional support, is set for Air Force-wide implementation this week.
Jackie Chavis said that although it has been 11 years since her son 1st Class Lee Bernard Chavis was killed when a sniper shot and killed him in Baghdad, the pain sometimes still feels fresh.
"The ability to come on base makes me still feel connected to him. This bridges the gap between families and the Air Force so you can be around people who understand what you're going through or what you've gone through," Chavis said in an Air Force press release.
Each Gold Star family will receive a letter signed by the Air Force installation commander closest to where they reside. While they won't be able to access commissaries, recreational centers or exchanges, the family members will be able to receive care through the Air Force Families Forever program.
Mackenzie Wolf is an editorial intern for Military Times.
