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{{short description|U.S. nonprofit supporting families of fallen military service members}}
”’Patti Latch”’ is an American nonprofit founder and advocate for families of United States military service members who died while on active duty. She is best known as the founder and executive director of the nonprofit organization ”’America’s Gold Star Families”’ (AGSF), which provides emotional support, scholarships, and remembrance programs to surviving relatives of fallen service members.<ref name=”AGSFAbout”>{{cite web |title=About America’s Gold Star Families |url=https://americasgoldstarfamilies.org/about/our-mission-and-vision/ |website=America’s Gold Star Families |access-date=9 October 2025}}</ref>
{{Infobox organization
| abbreviation = AGSF
| formation = 2006
| founder = Patti Latch
| type = Nonprofit organization
| status = 501(c)(3)
| headquarters = Peoria, Illinois, U.S.
| region_served = United States
| leader_title = Executive Director
| leader_name = Patti Latch
| website = {{URL|https://www.americasgoldstarfamilies.org}}
}}
”’America’s Gold Star Families”’ (”’AGSF”’) is a United States–based nonprofit organization that provides support to families who have lost loved ones in military service. Founded in 2006 in Illinois, the organization offers emotional, educational, and memorial programs to honor fallen service members and assist their surviving families.
== Early life and background ==
Latch is a “double Blue Star” mother—both of her sons served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Iraq War era.<ref name=”MeetBoard”>{{cite web |title=Meet The Board |url=https://americasgoldstarfamilies.org/about/meet-the-board |website=America’s Gold Star Families |access-date=9 October 2025}}</ref><ref name=”HealthyHomefront”>{{cite web |title=Honor, Resilience, and Sacrifice: America’s Gold Star Families |url=https://healthyhomefront.com/homefront-stories/honor-resilience-and-sacrifice-americas-gold-star-families/ |website=Healthy Homefront |access-date=9 October 2025}}</ref> According to AGSF’s site, Latch’s sons together served three tours of duty in Iraq, and at one point were simultaneously deployed to separate locations overseas.<ref name=”ProfileLatch”>{{cite web |title=Patti Latch |url=https://americasgoldstarfamilies.org/about/meet-the-board/profile/patti-latch |website=America’s Gold Star Families |access-date=9 October 2025}}</ref>
While her sons returned safely, Latch has said their deployments and the emotional toll of war shaped her compassion for families who did not have that outcome. In early efforts, she would attend funerals of fallen service members, introduce herself to grieving families, and ask, “What can I do to help?”<ref name=”HealthyHomefront” />
AGSF was founded by ”’Patti Latch”’ in 2006 in central Illinois. Latch, the mother of two U.S. Marines, was moved to create the organization after attending several funerals for local service members and speaking with their grieving families. When she asked how she could help, they responded, ”“Don’t let anyone forget.””<ref name=”mission”>[https://americasgoldstarfamilies.org/about/our-mission-and-vision/ “Our Mission and Vision”], America’s Gold Star Families, retrieved 28 September 2025.</ref>
Initially named ”’Central Illinois Gold Star Families”’, the organization expanded nationally and was renamed to reflect its broader mission.<ref name=”mission” />
In 2006, Latch founded *America’s Gold Star Families* (initially under a more localized name) in Central Illinois. The organization’s scope later expanded nationally, adopting the name AGSF to reflect its broader mission. <ref name=”MissionVision”>{{cite web |title=America’s Gold Star Families |url=https://americasgoldstarfamilies.org/ |website=America’s Gold Star Families |access-date=9 October 2025}}</ref><ref name=”MissionVision” />
== Mission ==
Under Latch’s leadership, AGSF has grown from a volunteer-based support group to a structured 501(c)(3) nonprofit offering multiple services to surviving families. The nonprofit is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, and overseen by a Gold Star Advisory Council composed of Gold Star family members to provide guidance and accountability.<ref name=”MissionVision” /><ref name=”MeetBoard” />
The organization’s mission is to provide ”“honor, hope, and healing”” to Gold Star families, regardless of the branch of service, geographic location, or circumstances of death.<ref name=”mission” />
== Programs ==
AGSF’s core stated mission is “to provide honor, hope, and healing to those grieving any military loss while serving active duty in the United States Armed Forces.”<ref name=”MissionVision” /> Its programs are offered free of charge to eligible survivors.
AGSF provides year-round programming for Gold Star families, including:
* ”’Grief and Peer Support”’: Includes family retreats, support groups, and counseling referrals.
Some major programs and initiatives of AGSF include:
* ”’Remembrance and Recognition”’: Events such as Gold Star Family Days, memorial dedications, and the ”Fallen Hero Ornaments” program.
* **Scholarships** for dependents of fallen service members to support higher education or technical training.<ref name=”MissionVision” />
* ”’Education and Scholarships”’: Academic scholarships and school supply assistance for children and spouses of fallen service members.
* **Birthday/Remembrance Cards & Gift Cards** for children and siblings of the fallen, to let them know they are not forgotten.<ref name=”MissionVision” />
* ”’Holiday Outreach”’: During Thanksgiving and Christmas, AGSF distributes gifts and food baskets to Gold Star families.
* **Fallen Hero Ornaments / Trees of Honor**: personalized ornaments bearing the names of fallen heroes, displayed in memorial trees during ceremonies.<ref name=”MissionVision” />
* ”’Community Awareness”’: Honor & Remember Banners, school presentations, and public events.
* **Grief support partnerships** and referrals for counseling and emotional care resources.<ref name=”MissionVision” />
* **Community remembrance projects**: Hometown Hero banners, public memorial naming efforts, and Fallen Heroes ceremonies in partnership with local governments and veterans’ organizations.<ref name=”MissionVision” /><ref name=”MissAmerica”>{{cite web |title=Miss America Announces Collaboration with America’s Gold Star Families |url=https://missamerica.org/2025/05/09/miss-america-announces-collaboration-with-americas-gold-star-familie/ |website=Miss America |access-date=9 October 2025}}</ref>
One notable event is the **Fallen Heroes Tree of Honor**, a 14-foot decorated tree unveiled annually in Illinois to honor service members killed in action.<ref>[https://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/local-news/americas-gold-star-families-put-up-a-14-foot-christmas-tree-to-honor-its-fallen-heroes/ “America’s Gold Star Families puts up a 14-foot Christmas tree to honor fallen heroes”], WMBD/Central Illinois Proud, retrieved 28 September 2025.</ref>
In 2025, AGSF announced a national collaboration with the Miss America Organization to expand its visibility and support for Gold Star families. In that announcement, Latch was quoted expressing gratitude for the partnership and the opportunity to amplify the mission. <ref name=”MissAmerica” />
== Founder ==
== Leadership, advocacy, and public recognition ==
”’Patti Latch”’, the organization’s founder and executive director, has two sons who served in Iraq between 2005 and 2007. Her direct involvement with the military community and interactions with bereaved families led her to launch AGSF.<ref>[https://americasgoldstarfamilies.org/about/meet-the-board/profile/patti-latch/ “Meet the Board – Patti Latch”], America’s Gold Star Families, retrieved 28 September 2025.</ref>
Latch continues to serve as Executive Director of AGSF until her retirement at the end of 2025, guiding its strategic direction, external partnerships, and family outreach efforts.<ref name=”MissionVision” /> She often speaks at memorial services, veteran events, and local government forums to advocate for recognition and sustained support for Gold Star families. Following her retirement, Darin Funk is set to assume the role of Executive Director beginning in 2026, continuing AGSF’s mission to honor and support the families of America’s fallen military heroes..<ref name=”HealthyHomefront” /><ref name=”MissionVision” />
Latch is a “double Blue Star” mother—both of her sons served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Iraq War era.<ref name=”MeetBoard”>{{cite web |title=Meet The Board |url=https://americasgoldstarfamilies.org/about/meet-the-board
Under her leadership, AGSF has been covered by regional and national media. For instance, *25 News Now* has featured AGSF events in Central Illinois honoring fallen service members and highlighting Latch’s role.<ref>{{cite news |title=Central Illinois Gold Star Families commemorate their fallen |work=25 News Now |date=28 September 2024 |url=https://www.25newsnow.com/2024/09/28/central-illinois-gold-star-families-commemorate-fallen/ |access-date=9 October 2025}}</ref>
|website=America’s Gold Star Families |access-date=9 October 2025}}</ref><ref name=”HealthyHomefront”>{{cite web |title=Honor, Resilience, and Sacrifice: America’s Gold Star Families |url=https://healthyhomefront.com/homefront-stories/honor-resilience-and-sacrifice-americas-gold-star-families/
|website=Healthy Homefront |access-date=9 October 2025}}</ref> According to AGSF’s site, Latch’s sons together served three tours of duty in Iraq, and at one point were simultaneously deployed to separate locations overseas.<ref name=”ProfileLatch”>{{cite web |title=Patti Latch |url=https://americasgoldstarfamilies.org/about/meet-the-board/profile/patti-latch
|website=America’s Gold Star Families |access-date=9 October 2025}}</ref>
Additionally, AGSF is registered with GuideStar as a public charity under EIN 46-5574571, listing its mission, address, and leadership including Patti Latch.<ref>{{cite web |title=America’s Gold Star Families |url=https://www.guidestar.org/profile/46-5574571 |website=GuideStar |access-date=9 October 2025}}</ref>
The term ”’Gold Star”’ originates from World War I, when families would display a service flag with a blue star for each loved one in the military. If a service member died during service, the blue star was replaced with a gold star. The U.S. government continues this tradition by officially recognizing such families as ”’Gold Star Families”’. ”’Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day”’ is observed annually on the last Sunday in September.<ref>[https://www.army.mil/article/286104/smdc_honors_gold_star_families “SMDC honors Gold Star Families”], U.S. Army, retrieved 28 September 2025.</ref>
== Personal philosophy and motivation ==
== and ==
AGSF has partnered with schools, civic groups, the Department of Defense, and other veteran service organizations. In 2025, the nonprofit announced a national collaboration with the ”’Miss America Organization”’, focusing on increased outreach and support for surviving military families.<ref>[https://missameri]()
Latch has described her work as driven by faith, gratitude, and a commitment to ensure that no family of a fallen service member feels alone in their grief. <ref name=”HealthyHomefront” /> She frames remembrance not merely as symbolic, but as ongoing relational support: meeting families where they are, listening to their needs, and sustaining connection beyond initial mourning. <ref name=”HealthyHomefront” />
Miss America Announces Collaboration with America’s Gold Star Families |url=https://missamerica.org/2025/05/09/miss-america-announces-collaboration-with-americas-gold-star-familie/
|website=Miss America |access-date=9 October 2025}}</ref>
* [[American Gold Star Mothers]]
* [[Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors]]
* [[Service flag]]
== References ==
{{reflist}}
== External links ==
* [https://americasgoldstarfamilies.org/ America’s Gold Star Families official website]
* [https://americasgoldstarfamilies.org/donate America’s Gold Star Families official donate website]
* [https://americasgoldstarfamilies.org/about/meet-the-board America’s Gold Star Families official meet the board website]
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America’s Gold Star Families nonprofit founder and advocate
U.S. nonprofit supporting families of fallen military service members
| Abbreviation | AGSF |
|---|---|
| Formation | 2006 |
| Founder | Patti Latch |
| Type | Nonprofit organization |
| Legal status | 501(c)(3) |
| Headquarters | Peoria, Illinois, U.S. |
|
Region served |
United States |
|
Executive Director |
Patti Latch |
| Website | www |
America’s Gold Star Families (AGSF) is a United States–based nonprofit organization that provides support to families who have lost loved ones in military service. Founded in 2006 in Illinois, the organization offers emotional, educational, and memorial programs to honor fallen service members and assist their surviving families.
History
AGSF was founded by Patti Latch in 2006 in central Illinois. Latch, the mother of two U.S. Marines, was moved to create the organization after attending several funerals for local service members and speaking with their grieving families. When she asked how she could help, they responded, “Don’t let anyone forget.”[1]
Initially named Central Illinois Gold Star Families, the organization expanded nationally and was renamed to reflect its broader mission.[1]
Mission
The organization’s mission is to provide “honor, hope, and healing” to Gold Star families, regardless of the branch of service, geographic location, or circumstances of death.[1]
Programs
AGSF provides year-round programming for Gold Star families, including:
- Grief and Peer Support: Includes family retreats, support groups, and counseling referrals.
- Remembrance and Recognition: Events such as Gold Star Family Days, memorial dedications, and the Fallen Hero Ornaments program.
- Education and Scholarships: Academic scholarships and school supply assistance for children and spouses of fallen service members.
- Holiday Outreach: During Thanksgiving and Christmas, AGSF distributes gifts and food baskets to Gold Star families.
- Community Awareness: Honor & Remember Banners, school presentations, and public events.
One notable event is the **Fallen Heroes Tree of Honor**, a 14-foot decorated tree unveiled annually in Illinois to honor service members killed in action.[2]
Founder
Patti Latch, the organization’s founder and executive director, has two sons who served in Iraq between 2005 and 2007. Her direct involvement with the military community and interactions with bereaved families led her to launch AGSF.[3]
Latch is a “double Blue Star” mother—both of her sons served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Iraq War era.[4][5] According to AGSF’s site, Latch’s sons together served three tours of duty in Iraq, and at one point were simultaneously deployed to separate locations overseas.[6]
Gold Star Tradition
The term Gold Star originates from World War I, when families would display a service flag with a blue star for each loved one in the military. If a service member died during service, the blue star was replaced with a gold star. The U.S. government continues this tradition by officially recognizing such families as Gold Star Families. Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day is observed annually on the last Sunday in September.[7]
Recognition and Partnerships
AGSF has partnered with schools, civic groups, the Department of Defense, and other veteran service organizations. In 2025, the nonprofit announced a national collaboration with the Miss America Organization, focusing on increased outreach and support for surviving military families.[8]
- ^ a b c “Our Mission and Vision”, America’s Gold Star Families, retrieved 28 September 2025.
- ^ “America’s Gold Star Families puts up a 14-foot Christmas tree to honor fallen heroes”, WMBD/Central Illinois Proud, retrieved 28 September 2025.
- ^ “Meet the Board – Patti Latch”, America’s Gold Star Families, retrieved 28 September 2025.
- ^ “Meet The Board”. America’s Gold Star Families. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
- ^ “Honor, Resilience, and Sacrifice: America’s Gold Star Families”. Healthy Homefront. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
- ^ “Patti Latch”. America’s Gold Star Families. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
- ^ “SMDC honors Gold Star Families”, U.S. Army, retrieved 28 September 2025.
- ^ [1]()
Miss America Announces Collaboration with America’s Gold Star Families |url=https://missamerica.org/2025/05/09/miss-america-announces-collaboration-with-americas-gold-star-familie/
|website=Miss America |access-date=9 October 2025}}
