Home → Newsroom
Gold Star Family Registration Plates Are Now Available
July 22, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 22, 2011 Contact: Caitlin E. Chamberlain, Office of the Secretary of State (207) 441-0501
Governor Paul LePage and Secretary of State Charles E. Summers, Jr. Announce Applications for Gold Star Family Registration Plates Are Now Available
AUGUSTA, Maine ? Governor Paul LePage and Secretary of State Charlie Summers have announced that the applications for the Gold Star Family registration plates are now available for eligible family members at the Bureau of Veterans? Services. The registration plates are scheduled to be made available by late August.
Governor Paul LePage signed LD 1529: ?An Act Honoring Gold Star Families through Special Registration Plates? earlier this summer. The bill was sponsored by Representative Bradley Moulton, R-York.
After a similar bill failed to pass in 2009 due to the cost of manufacturing the plates, John Mixon of Ogunquit, a veteran of the Vietnam War, began raising funds for the Gold Star plates through his organization, Run for the Fallen Maine. Governor LePage and the First Lady donated to the cause at the public hearing for the legislation. And Emily Knight, a Wells High School senior, created the design for the plate. Additionally, 3M donated the first roll of material to produce the plates, and J. R. Wald Co. manufactured the die to emboss the plates.
?This recognition is long overdue,? said Governor LePage. ?Those who have given their loved ones in defense of our country continue to live their lives in quiet dignity. These plates will help a grateful state honor their loss.?
Any eligible family member (spouse, parent, child, sibling, or grandparent) of a fallen soldier who is a Maine resident may begin the application process to receive a Gold Star Family registration plate. Completed applications must be submitted with a copy of DD Form 1300, Casualty Report, or other official paperwork indicating death on active duty in support of combat operations (the Bureau of Veterans? Services may be able to assist in obtaining necessary documentation). The request must also include a copy of proof of relationship to the deceased (i.e. birth certificate, marriage certificate, baptismal certificate, or notarized certificate showing the relationship). Upon notification from the Bureau of Veterans? Services, the BMV will issue the plates once they are available. The plates may only be placed on a passenger vehicles.
?I am extremely proud that we are now able to offer the Gold Star Family registration plate,? said Secretary Summers. ?It my hope that this plate will be a solemn, dignified tribute to those who have given their life in service to our country.?
For more information or to obtain the application for the Gold Star Family registration plate, please contact the Bureau of Veterans? Services at (207) 430-6035 or visit their website at http://www.maine.gov/dvem/bvs/Gold%20Star%20License%20Plate.htm