U.S. Army garrisons across Europe have reserved 40 designated parking spaces for use by Gold Star families at on-post public facilities.
In Stuttgart, the parking spaces can be found on Patch Barracks at the health clinic and commissary, and on Panzer Kaserne at Army Community Service and the bowling center.
“Gold Star family members, are widows, widowers, parents, and siblings of service members who lost their lives while serving on active duty,” said Pam Koch, Installation Management Command Europe community life specialist.
IMCOM Europe’s Survivor Outreach Services offices support 130 Gold Star family members in Europe.
“The intent of the designated parking is to honor and recognize the sacrifice of family members who have lost a loved one in military service,” said Koch. “The reserved parking also serves as a means to promote awareness and educate the military community on families of the fallen.”
Survivor Outreach Services is the official Army program that provides long-term support to surviving families of fallen Soldiers, said Koch.
Each Army community has a program manager to provide support through the grief process, coordinate support groups, provide information and referral services, and provide other services as required.
Survivors not only stay connected to the Army through the SOS program, they may also influence programs and benefits by participating in Army Family Action Plan events, she said.
Survivors can contact their local Army Community Service to receive their parking permit.
For more information about Survivor Outreach Services, go to www.sos.army.mil.