WE REGRET TO INFORM YOU

A Survival Guide for Gold Star Parents and Those Who Support Them

Author Joanne Steen tackles the subject that terrifies the parents of military personnel–the loss of their son or daughter in an active duty status. We Regret To Inform You addresses many of the thorniest issues that confront Gold Star parents:

• Cope with the personal loss of a child entwined the national loss of a service member
• Contend with limited info, conflicting details, unviewable remains, deployment-delayed grief, national reminders, and more
• Survive Memorial Day and other important days of meaning
• Honor their fallen child while moving forward in grief

With an honesty found at the kitchen table, We Regret To Inform You provides Gold Star parents with a head-nodding understanding of their reactions, plus a path to survive this life-changing loss, cope with its profound grief and develop the resilience to move forward.

In short, easy-to-read chapters Gold Star parents find thoughtful explanations and trustworthy advice for coping with military grief. We Regret To Inform You weaves together realistic examples with the voices of other Gold Star parents, connecting the readers to the wisdom of those parents who have walked in their shoes. Joanne Steen also provides dedicated chapters for the relatives, friends and professional service providers of Gold Star parents, supplying them with what they need to know about military loss, what to expect in the parents, and best practices on what to say and ways to help them.

“…this is the book a surviving parent will reach for at 2:00 AM on a sleepless night.”
Major General Mark Graham, US Army (Ret)
Gold Star Father of Army ROTC Cadet Kevin Graham and 2LT Jeffery Graham, US Army

“…offers us a glimpse of how life changes suddenly, permanently… when parents lose a child in the service of country.”
General Martin E. Dempsey, US Army (Ret)

“Joanne brings her empathy and intelligence to these pages and helps fill a profound need in military grief resources.” Alan Wolfelt, PhD, CT
Author. Educator. Counselor. Founder of the Center for Loss and Life

“Parents find validation that their child’s service to country mattered, is deeply appreciated and will not be forgotten.”
General Glenn M. Walters, US Marine Corps (Ret)

“Joanne’s writing style is the same as being with her in person: compassionate, warm, and engaging.”
Fr. William D. Razz Waff, DMin, BCC Major General, US Army (Ret)

“…the only book of its kind for bereaved parents of military service members.
Betsy Beard
Gold Star Mother of SPC Bradley Beard, US Army, Editor, TAPS Magazine (2008-2015)

“I wish I had this book soon after my son, US Marine Sgt. Thomas R. Bagosy completed suicide. Tommy was my second son, age twenty-five, and a combat veteran.”
Bob Bagosy
Proud Gold Star Father of Sgt. Thomas R. Bagosy, USMC

“…this is a must have book for all in key leadership positions.”
Vice Admiral Norbert Ryan, US Navy (Ret)