State Rep. Kevin Ritter, R-Marietta, has introduced a bill in Ohio that is reportedly also gaining interest in West Virginia. The proposal would allow Gold Star family members to get special driver’s licenses that would identify them quickly when they are claiming benefits, rather than forcing them to present a death certificate.

“I met a couple of different Gold Star Families over the last six months and in speaking with them the one thing that stuck with me was to claim any benefits their son or daughter earned before being killed in the military, they have to actually have to present the death certificate,” Ritter said. “What I understood from talking with those families was what a hurtful thing that was to have to relive that event.”

Should the bill pass, Gold Star family members would be able to get a folded flag symbol on their licenses (the gold star is already associated with a different kind of ID).

It will be up to the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles to determine which documentation will be required to initially verify a person should have a folded flag added to their driver’s license.

Surely such a measure will pass easily, making Ohio unique in providing such support for Gold Star families. But then it will no doubt be copied by other states in our region, where families have long been proud of those in military service, but also sacrificed greatly when those who were willing to give everything for the rest of, did.