Senator Webb welcomed the passage of legislation marking December 18, 2010 as "Gold Star Wives Day." This day will mark the 65th anniversary of the Gold Star Wives of America, a volunteer organization of the spouses of fallen military members. Sen. Webb cosponsored the bipartisan legislation introduced by Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC).
"It is appropriate that our nation honor the Gold Star Wives, whose assistance to our military families--despite the losses they, themselves, have suffered--stands as an exemplar of patriotism," said Sen. Webb.
In 1945, the Gold Star Wives of America was organized with the help of Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt to assist survivors of fallen military members. Members visit and volunteer at both Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense hospitals and participate in national memorial services on Memorial Day weekend and Veterans Day.