The Consultative Council of the Gold Stars of the Ministry of War for the first time

The Consultative Council of the Gold Star of the Ministry of War (GSAC) meets for the first time on Monday, providing an unprecedented direct channel for families of the fallen service to meet and engage with senior military leaders and be heard their votes in terms of decision -making.

“Today marks the first time that a Gold Star Advisory Council has summoned to the Secretary of War,” said War Pete Hegseth’s war secretary exclusively. “This advice has been expected for a long time for families of golden stars in order to raise their voice directly to the management of the department, to tackle real concerns and to transform the victim process for good. It has full support to call failures, shake the bureaucratic status quo and lead the changes that will remain.”

Gold Star families are parents of American soldiers who have lost their lives in service.

The GSAC was created in May, thanks to a memorandum signed by Hegseth. Its mission is rooted to honor the ultimate sacrifice of American fighters and ensuring that families left behind are never forgotten.

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The new council aims to officially place the votes of the families of the military at the heart of decision -making. (Jim Watson / AFP via Getty Images)

Bringing together at least twice a year, the Council will be accused of providing political recommendations, keeping the department responsible and providing a permanent forum to Gold Star families to share concerns and propose solutions.

The co-vice chairs include the under-secretary of the staff war and the preparation Anthony Tata, alongside Jane Horton, wife of Gold Star and principal advisor to the Secretary of War.

Together, they must provide higher level expertise and the deeply personal perspective of those who have lost first hand.

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President Donald Trump meets a family of gold stars. (DIST / US Department of Defense)

“Gold Star families are vital for our military community and our mission,” Tata told Fox News Digital.

“Their strength and resilience are really inspiring and emblematic of warrior ethics that we strive to promote throughout the total force. The Gold Star Council is a testimony to their sustainable service to our nation.”

He added that advice represents a lasting commitment:

“The Gold Star Advisory Council will allow the ministry to continue to remember our members of the fallen services and to keep our promise to take care of the families they have left.”

Tata also praised the “extraordinary efforts” of her co-vice chairs to raise families of gold stars by “telling their stories and keeping the memories of our fallen heroes”. He expressed his appreciation for the “plea, representation and leadership” of Horton.

Pete Hegseth speaks during the national ceremony of the Pow -Pow recognition day – Mia at Pentagon on September 19, 2025. (Images Kevin Dietsch / Getty)

Horton echoed Hegseth and Tata and underlined the objective focused on the board mission.

“The secretary’s office is clear: each warrior must know that if the worst should occur, his family will never be forgotten and that their sacrifice will never be overlooked,” she told Fox News Digital.

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“The Gold Star Advisory Council exists to create a real and lasting change. We are not symbolic. We are a set of families of gold stars and senior leaders focused on the mission and focused on the reform of systems that shape the assistance to victims, long -term care and the way our nation honors the fallen.

“The strength of this advice lies in those who have carried an unimaginable loss and who always choose to direct. We are here to serve our warriors.”