Legion Family urged to garner support for Gold Star Spouses

The American Legion is calling on members of the American Legion Family to contact their members of Congress and urge support for H.R. 3651, bipartisan legislation designed to allow surviving spouses of military servicemembers to retain survivor benefits should they remarry.

The Love Lives on Act is geared toward changing the current situation for Gold Star Spouses who choose to remarry before age 55 and face losing critical benefits. Specifically, the legislation will:

·         Eliminate the age limit for remarrying without loss of benefits.

·         Allow remarried surviving spouses to retain education benefits.

·         Preserve Commissary and Exchange benefits for remarried spouses.

·         Enable remarried spouses to regain TRICARE benefits if the subsequent marriage ends.

·         Abolish the "Hold Themselves Out to Be Married" clause, an outdated law causing unnecessary fear and inhibiting freedom.

The American Legion believes in standing up for the rights and benefits of our Gold Star Spouses. They should not be penalized for finding love again. They are still the surviving spouses of our fallen heroes, and they have earned their benefits through their service and sacrifice.

The time for action is now. Contact your members of Congress today and urge them to pass the Love Lives On Act. Do so by visiting our Grassroots Action Center to learn more about the Love Lives On Act and other legislation The American Legion supports. And sign up for legislative alerts by clicking here.