Drive to redefine Gold Star status in Mississippi

Imagine losing a loved one who is serving her country and being denied the designation of a Gold Star family member just because you are a male.

Hard to believe, but that’s the current state for this designation due to what some call a delayed response to update the definition of Gold Star status. Today that does not cover surviving family members of women who are killed while serving their country, but one group is on a mission to change this.

Crusaders for Veterans President Kevin Cuttill said, “Gold Star status, right now, it’s someone who died in combat. The Fort Hood people who were slain, their families weren’t considered Gold Star because they weren’t in combat, they were here on stateside. My son was killed stateside.”

Kevin Cuttill is president of Crusaders for Veterans and a veteran himself. He and others are looking to shed light on Mississippi’s current definition for Gold Star status. It’s an issue that hits close to home for Cuttill. “In some states, I am not considered Gold Star. In some states, I am because of the verbiage of the states.”

In Mississippi, surviving male family members are not able to apply to be considered a Gold Star family member. “Times have changed. I’ve done my tour of duty. I’m done and stuff, but my wife is still in. I think it should be spouse so if anything happens to her, I could get one. I’ve already lost a son that was serving in the Navy. That doesn’t classify him as a Gold Star father because only wives and mothers, it’s like a double whammy for me. There’s a lot of people that have the same problem. It’s like ‘okay, let’s take up that crusade and get it changed.’”

And just who is responsible for this change? The Mississippi State legislature. A mission has already been launched to change the definition of a Gold Star recipient to make sure everyone deserving is included. “We have contacted every senator in the state of Mississippi trying to get everybody on board to say we’re all Mississippians, so let’s change in Mississippi to match it. South Carolina’s done it. We want it unified. My son died serving the United States. I want recognition for him. I want to be able to honor him on my car as I drive around.”