Area Gold Star Wives of all eras will have the opportunity to meet and socialize for the first time in the area Friday when ladies — and gentlemen — will gather at the Georgia National Guard Armory in Savannah.

Patricia Barbee, formerly of Pembroke and a Gold Star Wife of the Vietnam era, has helped coordinate the meeting, set for 10 a.m. Friday at the Georgia National Guard Armory at 1248 Eisenhower Drive in Savannah, to inform local Gold Star Wives of benefits available to them and give them an opportunity to socialize.

“Never has there been a Gold Star Wife meeting in the Coastal Empire,” Barbee said.

Gold Star Wives are widows of men who have been killed in action, died from wounds obtained in action or died as a result of a wound or illness during their service, Barbee said. Gold Star Husbands are welcome, too, she added.

“He may be a man, but he is still one of us because he’s lost his best friend, spouse, love of his life and a whole lot more,” Barbee said.

Speakers, brochures and packets and more will be available to those who attend the meeting, she said.

“There are benefits to ladies that some may not even know of, even if it’s only a discount at a department store,” she said. “We want the ladies to know what is available.”

Other topics, like housing and mortgages, will also be discussed, she said. And she hopes 12th District Congressman John Barrow, D-Ga., and 1st District Congressman Jack Kingston, R-Ga., will be on hand, as well, though nothing is set in stone, she said.

Read more in the Jan. 18 edition of the News.