All articles tagged with #gold star families
Originally Published 5 months ago — by ABC News
The Department of Homeland Security announced new military-friendly initiatives at airports, including dedicated 'Honor Lane' security lines at 11 airports, free TSA pre-check for Gold Star families, and a $25 discount for military spouses, aimed at honoring service members and easing travel for military families.
Originally Published 7 months ago — by The Washington Post
President Donald Trump commemorated Memorial Day with a speech at Arlington National Cemetery, honoring fallen soldiers and Gold Star families, while also reflecting on his past four years in office and mentioning border issues.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by NBC News
Families of the 13 U.S. service members killed in the 2021 Kabul airport attack by the Islamic State are demanding accountability from the Biden administration. They accuse the administration of lying about what happened and their relationship with the Taliban. The families are calling for a complete investigation into the attack and the actions leading up to it, as well as an apology from President Biden. The administration has conducted multiple investigations into the withdrawal and the attack, concluding that it couldn't have been prevented. The families are also seeking recognition for their children's sacrifice and want them to be honored at the White House.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Fox News
President Biden is facing backlash for repeatedly retelling an exaggerated story about a minor fire at his Delaware home in an attempt to connect with victims of natural disasters. During a visit to the fire-ravaged remains of Maui, Biden shared the story with victims of the Hawaii wildfires, claiming to understand their loss. However, the story has been told with varying degrees of exaggeration, with Biden claiming to have almost lost his wife, his car, and his cat in some versions. This has drawn comparisons to his previous lack of empathy towards Gold Star families, where he repeatedly mentioned the death of his son Beau. Critics argue that Biden's embellished stories and lack of empathy reveal his true character.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Fox News
President Biden's treatment of Gold Star families is under renewed scrutiny following emotional testimony from families of the 13 U.S. service members killed during the chaotic military withdrawal in Afghanistan. The families accused Biden and his top Cabinet officials of lying, disrespect, and betrayal, calling for their resignations. The Biden administration's handling of the withdrawal has damaged public perception of the president's competency and leadership. Critics have demanded accountability for the Afghanistan debacle, but Biden has declined to fire any officials. The controversy also resurfaced past reports of Biden's alleged disrespect towards Gold Star families.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Times of San Diego
At a forum organized by Rep. Darrell Issa, the father of a fallen Marine called for the resignation of top officials, including President Biden, in the wake of the suicide bombing at the Kabul airport in August 2021. Gold Star families shared tearful testimony, seeking accountability and answers about the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan. Former President Trump praised the event and criticized the Biden administration. The families expressed frustration with the lack of investigation into their loved ones' deaths and called for the truth to be revealed.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by New York Post
Gold Star mom Cheryl Rex accused President Biden of callously likening her son's death in the Afghanistan withdrawal to that of his late son Beau, who died of brain cancer. Rex expressed anger and disbelief at Biden's remarks, stating that her son died in combat while Beau died from cancer. Other Gold Star families also criticized the Biden administration's handling of the withdrawal and called for a full congressional investigation into the decisions that led to the chaotic mission. They expressed frustration with the administration's characterization of the evacuation as a success and believed that their loved ones' deaths could have been prevented. Congressman Darrell Issa promised that the families' voices would be heard and that further investigations would be conducted.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Daily Mail
Gold Star families of the 13 U.S. service members killed in the Kabul suicide attack during the Afghanistan withdrawal are demanding accountability and closure from the Biden administration. During a public forum organized by Rep. Darrell Issa, the families criticized President Biden and his military leadership as "incompetent, cowards, evil." They expressed their anger and frustration, calling for resignations and justice. The families also condemned the administration's labeling of the withdrawal as a "success," stating that it was a disrespect to the fallen soldiers. The families highlighted the preventable nature of the deaths and the lack of recognition for the survivors. A scathing State Department report on the Afghanistan withdrawal failures was released, blaming both the Trump and Biden administrations for insufficient planning and consideration of worst-case scenarios.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by The New York Times
Caz Craffy, a former U.S. Army financial counselor, has been charged with wire and securities fraud for defrauding Gold Star families, the immediate relatives of deceased service members, out of life insurance and other benefits. Prosecutors allege that Craffy steered the families towards investments on which he secretly earned substantial commissions, resulting in $3.4 million in investment losses for the families and $1.4 million in commissions for himself. In addition to the criminal charges, Craffy also faces a civil complaint filed by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The charges come after a Washington Post article exposed the families' complaints, leading to proposed legislation to improve the screening of financial counselors employed by the Defense Department.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by NPR
A U.S. Army Reserves major and financial counselor with the Army, Caz Craffy, has been charged by the Justice Department for allegedly defrauding Gold Star families. Craffy is accused of tricking grieving family members into handing over hundreds of thousands of dollars of their deceased loved one's military benefits. He allegedly executed trades using their money, resulting in market losses and commissions paid, while earning around $1.4 million in commissions himself. Craffy is facing multiple criminal charges, including wire fraud and securities fraud. The Securities and Exchange Commission has also charged him with violating federal securities laws. Prosecutors say Craffy used his position as a financial counselor to gain access to the families and pushed them to transfer their benefits into brokerage accounts he managed, engaging in high-risk trades without their approval.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Department of Justice
A U.S. Army financial counselor and major in the U.S. Army Reserves has been indicted on charges of defrauding two dozen Gold Star families. The counselor, Caz Craffy, allegedly used his position to target and deceive the families, encouraging them to invest their survivor benefits in accounts he managed privately. He executed unauthorized trades, resulting in losses of over $3.4 million for the families while earning over $1.4 million in commissions. Craffy faces multiple charges, including wire fraud and securities fraud, each carrying a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has also filed a civil complaint against him.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Al Jazeera English
The Taliban has claimed responsibility for killing the senior ISIL leader behind the deadly suicide bombing outside the Kabul airport in August 2021, which killed about 170 Afghans and 13 US service members. The identity of the ISIL leader has not yet been released. The news was shared with the families of the fallen service members in a private group messaging chat. The Afghanistan-based offshoot of ISIL, with up to 4,000 members, is the Taliban’s most bitter enemy and top threat militarily. The August 2021 pullout of US troops led to the swift collapse of the Afghan government and military, which the US had supported for nearly two decades, and the return to power of the Taliban.