On Nov 14, 2009, at the dedication of the Veterans Memorial in Wilmington, NC, Norma Luther, Julie Webb (Dogwood Chapter) Virginia Rivenbark and Vivian Scharver (Azalea Chapter) stand in front of the memorial honoring the POW/MIA from all wars. The memorial was erected through the efforts of Rolling Thunder NC 3. Several GSMs purchased pavers dedicated to the memory of their sons and had them placed there.

Beirut Memorial Day in Jacksonville on Oct 23, 2009, Judith Young, Vivian Scharver, Norma Luther, Virginia Rivenbark and Mary Ellen Jackowskii.

Our Department met in early May in Garner, NC. Members from each chapter were present, there were 17 in attendance. It was the first department meeting for two of the chapters; Hampton Roads and Dogwood. We met to elect new officers and to remember our loved ones. We had a table set up to honor our sons. We each brought a picture and then lit a candle in their memory.

We have a new chapter. The Hampton Roads chapter in Virginia Beach, VA received their charter on March 7, 2009. Darlene Kelly is the first president.

North Carolina has passed legislation authorizing a Gold Star license plate.

If you are eligible for the Gold Star pin issued by the Dept of Defense you are also eligible for the North Carolina GSF license plate. Eligible individuals are: Widow, Widower, Mother, Father, Stepmother/father, Mother/father through adoption, Foster mother/father in loco parentis, Son, Daughter, Stepson/daughter, Son/daughter by adoption, Brother, Sister, Half brother/sister.

The previous requirement that there be 300 orders before production could begin has been removed. If you had previously sent in an application form and had it returned you must re-apply.

The NC Gold Star license plate is in production and should be available by April or May, 2008. If you are interested in getting a North Carolina Gold Star Family license plate print out the application (it can take several seconds for the application to appear), fill it out and mail it to the address at the top with the appropriate fee. If you have questions contact Norma Luther from the Azalea Chapter (see the left column).

The application is in pdf format so you will need Adobe Reader to view and print it. Most computers already have this software installed.

Virginia and many other states also have Gold Star License plates law in effect. Apply to the respective DMV's for details.