Each September, Gold Star Families from around the country gather in Washington, DC, for the annual Time of Remembrance Ceremony held on the grounds of the Washington Monument.  This event brings together the families of America’s fallen in Iraq and Afghanistan to honor those who have died in service to their country and acknowledge the sacrifice of the families they left behind.

In 2008, Families United partnered with the White House Commission on Remembrance to host a Gold Star Family Picnic following the Time of Remembrance Ceremony. We received wonderful feedback after last year’s event; families appreciated having the opportunity to decompress after such an emotional event and meet other families with similar stories from their home state and around the country.

This year, Families United and the White House Commission on Remembrance have again partnered to host the first annual “Weekend of Remembrance.” This special tribute weekend will take place September 18-19, 2009, and will include three major events:

On the evening before the Time of Remembrance ceremony, Families United will host the first annual Gold Star Dinner to further honor these families and to provide an evening of fun and games for the children in attendance.  Attendees to this event will have the opportunity to meet other Gold Star parents, spouses, and children to share and honor the inspiring stories of their Heroes. Following the Time of Remembrance ceremony on Saturday, Families United will again host a BBQ picnic for the families of fallen Heroes. All families attending the Time of Remembrance Ceremony are also invited to attend both the Gold Star Dinner and the Gold Star Family Picnic.

We hope you will be able to join us for this special weekend of tribute to America’s true Heroes. 

To our heroic military men and women, and their families, we offer a humble and very sincere, "Thank You."