© 2024 WFSU Public Media
WFSU News · Tallahassee · Panama City · Thomasville
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

New Law Allows More Family Members To Honor Fallen Loved One With Gold Star Tag

floridafallenheroes.org

A new law will now expand the eligibility of those who want to have a Gold Star License plate. The aim is to allow more members of the family to recognize their loved one who died in combat. 

Under current law, the spouse, legal parents, or stepparent of a fallen armed forces service member can apply and receive the Gold Star License plate.

“A Gold Star Family Member is defined by the Department of Defense as someone who is directly related to a fallen service member and killed in action,” said Sen. Wilton Simpson (R-Trilby). “What this bill does is it conforms Florida law with the federal law, which further defines who can obtain a Gold Star tag.”

So, Simpson says the new law allows even more to apply.

“We’re attempting to add parent through adoption, foster parent, child, stepchild, brother, sister, half-brother or half-sister of the fallen service member,” he added.

Simpson says this issue became important to him, after the mother of a fallen service member in his district asked him to change the law. She said his siblings were unable to apply for the plate to honor their brother. Last week, Governor Rick Scott signed Simpson’s bill into law. The new law takes effect July 1st.

Sascha Cordner has more than ten years of public radio experience. It includes working at NPR member station WUFT-FM in Gainesville for several years. She's worked in both radio and TV, serving in various capacities as a reporter, producer and anchor. She's also a graduate of the University of Florida with a bachelor's degree in telecommunications. She is the recipient of 15 awards from the Associated Press, Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), and Edward R. Murrow. Her award-winning stories include her coverage on the infamous “Dozier School for Boys” and a feature titled "Male Breast Cancer: Lost in the Sea of Pink." Currently, Sascha serves as the host and producer of local and state news content for the afternoon news program "All Things Considered" at WFSU. Sascha primarily covers criminal justice and social services issues. When she's not reporting, Sascha likes catching up on her favorite TV shows, singing and reading. Follow Sascha Cordner on Twitter:@SaschaCordner.