Kathy Prout helped start Gold Star Spouses of America in 2024 for surviving spouses of servicemembers who died in the line of duty or from a service-related injury or disease.

“By working on trying to fix things that were obviously wrong, it honored my husband’s death, service, and sacrifice.”

The 1,000-member group makes a difference through volunteerism, outreach, and public service, said Prout, whose husband, Navy Rear Adm. James Prout, died in 1995 after the F/A-18 Hornet he was riding in crashed in New Mexico.

“Nobody understands what it’s like to lose a spouse except another surviving spouse,” she said.

The group, a member of The Military Coalition, aims to give surviving spouses a seat at the table at state and national discussions through advocacy, along with providing educational tools and resources to help them lead and grow.

Gold Star Spouses of America also serves as a support system that guides surviving spouses in obtaining benefits they may not know they’re entitled to.

“Nobody tells you what happens after they hand you the folded flag,” Prout said. “I didn’t know anything about survivor benefits.”

Prout said she didn’t want other surviving spouses to go through what she did, which is why she advocates for congressional changes to spouses’ benefits, including the Caring for Survivors Act.

By working to fix things that were obviously wrong, she said, it honored her husband’s death, service, and sacrifice.

Prout is also the surviving spouse liaison for MOAA’s California Council of Chapters and its Coronado Chapter. She was part of the team that successfully advocated for a partial tax exemption on military retired pay.

“It kind of works that way with advocacy,” she said. “Ask for everything and get a little bit. Go back and ask again, and eventually you might get everything you want.”