How One Gold Star Wife Found Purpose in Her Pain: Amy Dozier’s Story

For those who've lost someone they love, life often divides into two parts — before and after. When Amy Dozier married her husband in what she calls a whirlwind romance, she never imagined that less than two years later, soldiers would knock on her door late one evening to tell her he was gone. In her loss, Amy discovered purpose — creating spaces where grieving families can find understanding, comfort, and connection. 

This Military Family Appreciation Month, we invite you to listen to Amy's story. It's a story of courage born from loss, of service that continues beyond the uniform, and of the community that carries us forward. Watch now on the Carrot-Top YouTube channel. 

Amy's Story: A Whirlwind Romance Ending in Tragedy 

For Amy, life started like any other. She grew up in Durham, NC, after her family moved from Iowa. After high school, she attended East Carolina University, where she would meet the man who swept her off her feet. John was “a cute guy with a buzz cut” who lived on a nearby military base. It wasn't long before the two were inseparable and, in true military fashion, decided to get married.  

Amy fondly recalls, "This was a whirlwind romance...we met in 2005, we married at the beginning of '06. I found out I was pregnant early on and he deployed shortly after." 

But what began as a season of joy soon became one of unimaginable loss. On January 9, 2008, Amy's life would change forever. At 9 p.m., shortly after putting her daughter to bed, Amy got a knock on her door.  

She opened it to see three men in military uniforms standing there. They spoke the words no military wife wants to hear. Her husband, Sergeant Jonathon Killian Dozier, had passed away from an IED (improvised explosive device). What followed was a blur. "What I do remember from that night," Amy reflects, "is feeling that sense of shock, feeling a sense of fear."

Finding Community and Connection After Tragedy 

After an initial period of support, Amy found herself alone, raising a small child. Navigating grief was a challenge made more difficult by the length of her marriage. "I had my husband for almost three years, and his family had him for almost 30. There is this perceived hierarchy, if you will, in grief, and it causes a lot of conflict."

As a result, she connected with a tragedy assistance program that helped her realize that she could not only get through her grief, but she could come out the other side greater than when she started.  

With healing came strength. Amy used John's GI Bill to get her master’s degree while working as an orthopedic nurse and massage therapist. She also found a love for military non-profits, a passion that would connect her with her purpose.

Healing Through Helping: Finding Purpose with the Woody Williams Foundation

Amy's growing passion for military non-profits found its match in the Woody Williams Foundation. Woody Williams was a Medal of Honor recipient who dedicated his life to helping Gold Star families after retiring from the military. Amy was a perfect fit. Her experience offered a unique opportunity to see beyond the statistic and connect on a deeper level with military families who lost a loved one in service.  

Today, she wears multiple hats, from public speaking and writing to helping plan retreats and activities. And her dedication and commitment haven't gone unnoticed. Amy was the first woman to receive the Be the Cowboy award for her community outreach, an honor she admits came as a surprise. "It was so nice to be seen for the work that I do, 'cause I'm so passionate about it. It is my calling."|

Carry the Legacy Forward — Because Service Never Ends

Amy is a shining example of bravery and determination, revealing the transformative power of purpose in overcoming grief. Her commitment to carrying her husband's legacy forward is an inspiration, showcasing the strength of the American spirit.  

Like Amy, Freedom & Glory is dedicated to helping Americans honor what matters most, through the symbols we raise, the products we craft, and the communities we serve. We proudly offer patriotic products like Support Our Troops flags and Blue Star banners, made here, for here. We will continue to carry the legacy of our American heroes forward, because service never ends.