House passes Rep. Meuser's Gold Shield Families Resolution during National Police Week
"And that responsibility rests squarely on the shoulders of our police officers, firefighters, EMTs, correction officers, and dispatchers," said Rep. Meuser, R-Dallas. "These are the people on the front lines of our communities, putting themselves in danger every single day to keep the rest of us safe. They are the thin gold line that holds society together."
As part of National Police Week, Rep. Meuser said the House of Representatives unanimously passed H.Res. 364 — the Gold Shield Families Resolution — introduced by Rep. Meuser.
The bipartisan resolution, Rep. Meuser said, recognizes the families of fallen first responders as "Gold Shield Families" and calls on local communities to support nonprofit organizations that provide them with comfort, connection and healing as they face profound loss.
"As the son of a police officer and the grandson of a firefighter, I've seen the risks they take and the sacrifices their families quietly endure," Rep. Meuser said. "When the worst happens — when a life is lost in the line of duty — it's the family that carries the burden of that sacrifice. This resolution ensures that sacrifice is acknowledged, honored and remembered."
Rep. Meuser said just as we recognize the families of fallen service members as "Gold Star Families," this resolution ensures the families of fallen first responders are known and acknowledged as Gold Shield Families.
"It also calls on local communities to support the nonprofit organizations that serve them," Rep. Meuser said. "These groups provide critical services — offering connection, care, and healing to families navigating life after unimaginable loss. The resolution also encourages Gold Shield Families to seek out these trusted resources as they carry forward the legacy of their loved ones."
Re. Meuser said the resolution was inspired by Camp Freedom, a nonprofit in Carbondale, that provides outdoor healing experiences to disabled veterans, first responders, and their families, as well as to Gold Shield and Gold Star Families.
The idea for the resolution was brought forward by Camp Freedom executive director Matt Guedes, a veteran and lifelong advocate for those who serve.
"First responders run toward danger — and many of them do it as volunteers or on a modest income," said Guedes. "They put their lives on the line for others, and when one of them is lost, their families are often left with nothing more than a well-meaning spaghetti dinner or a firehouse fundraiser. That's kind, but it's not enough. These families go home without their husband, their wife, their mother or father — and without the income or support they once had. Their grief is real, their financial strain is real, and the gap in long-term care is wide."
Guedes said this resolution is important because it recognizes those families and helps direct attention and resources to where they're truly needed.
"Nonprofits like Camp Freedom are ready to stand in that gap — to walk with these families, not just in the days after a loss, but for the months and years that follow," Guedes said. "But recognition is the first step. With this resolution, we're finally saying as a nation — we see your pain, we value your sacrifice, and we're here for you."
To date, Guedes said Camp Freedom has served more than 12,000 veterans, first responders and service member families across the country.
Rep. Meuser also credited Camp Freedom founder Bill Bachenberg for his vision and leadership in making that mission possible.
"This resolution may be just two pages long — but its message is powerful," Rep. Meuser said. "It says to every Gold Shield Family — your loved one's service mattered. Their sacrifice will not be forgotten — and neither will yours. And to every community — recognize these families, lift them up, and walk with them through their grief. Together, we can ensure their resilience is met with gratitude — and their loss is never faced alone."
Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
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