Legislation Would Allow Counties to Offer ID Discount Cards to Parents of Fallen Military
TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senate Military and Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Jim Beach that would provide parents of fallen military personnel with identification and discount cards was approved today by a Senate committee.
“The journey of our military heroes sometimes ends on the battlefield, and their sacrifice for the safety and security of our nation deserves to be honored and respected,” said SenatorBeach, D-Camden and Burlington. “By offering the parents of these heroes with something as simple as an identification care to access discounts and courtesies, we can go a long way to express our gratitude for their sacrifice and loss and their loved one’s service.”
The bill, S-2391, would allow county clerks and registrars to issue identification cards to Gold Star parents that would provide the mothers and fathers of members of the armed forces who have lost their lives while actively serving in the US military to receive discounts or other courtesies extended to military families.
The symbolism of the gold star began during World War I, when homes and business would hang white flags with a blue star in their window to indicate an active duty member of the military lived or worked there. If the person gave their life for their country, the blue star would be replaced with a gold one.
Currently, county clerks, at their discretion, are able to provide identification cards for municipal and county employees, senior citizens and veterans.
The bill was approved by the Senate Military and Veterans Affairs Committee with a vote of 3-0. It now heads to the full Senate for consideration.