Board of Directors
Cathy Heighter
Founder | Gold Star Mother | Advocate for Military Families
Founder | Gold Star Mother | Advocate for Military Families
Cathy Heighter is the proud mother of Cpl. Raheen Tyson Heighter, a U.S. Army soldier who made the ultimate sacrifice in Iraq on July 24, 2003. As a devoted Gold Star Mother, Cathy has transformed her personal tragedy into a lifelong mission of service and advocacy on behalf of military families and veterans across the nation.
Cathy is the Founder of Florida Gold Star Families Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring the legacy of fallen heroes while providing compassionate support, education, and empowerment for the families they leave behind. Through her leadership, the organization fosters healing, unity, and advocacy for Gold Star Families throughout Florida.
Over the years, Cathy has played a key role in shaping military family policy and support services. She worked with Congressman Steve Israel on The Raheen Tyson Heighter Life Insurance for America’s Troops Act (H.R.3436)—a landmark effort that contributed to increased death benefits for service members. She was also a spokesperson for the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund and testified before Congress to secure resources for the families of the fallen.
In addition to her advocacy, Cathy is a published author, respected public speaker, and community leader. She has served on numerous boards supporting veterans, affordable housing, and domestic violence survivors. Cathy is a former City Council Member in Palm Coast, Florida, and has received numerous honors for her service, including the Patriot of the Year Award and the Rosa Parks Sons & Daughters of Liberty Award.
Through Florida Gold Star Families Inc., Cathy Heighter continues to be a guiding light for those navigating grief, using her voice to uplift, connect, and empower families who carry the weight of service and sacrifice with enduring pride and love.
Monica Seamans
Co-Founder & Secretary, Florida Fallen Heroes
CEO and Cofounder of Florida Gold Star Families, Inc.
Monica Seamans, born in Lafayette, Indiana, is a dedicated military spouse, Gold Star Mother, and retired federal employee with over 36 years of service. She married her high school sweetheart, U.S. Navy veteran Dave Seamans, in 1979, and together they built a life rooted in service and resilience.
Monica’s federal career began at the Ann Arbor Veterans Hospital and continued at Naval Hospital Jacksonville, St. Luke’s Hospital, and eventually the Fleet Industrial Supply Center, where she was promoted to Transportation Specialist before retiring in 2019.
After the tragic loss of their son, Pfc. Timothy J. Seamans, in Iraq in 2005, Monica and her family founded the Timothy J. Seamans Memorial Foundation, now known as Florida Fallen Heroes. The foundation has placed 17 Fallen Soldier monuments across Northeast Florida.
Monica serves as Secretary of Florida Fallen Heroes, a Founding CEO and Cofounder of Florida Gold Star Families, Inc., and is an active member of the Navy Wives Clubs of America Daughters in Dixie #300.
Dave Seamans
President, Florida Fallen Heroes
CEO and Cofounder of Florida Gold Star Families, Inc.
Dave Seamans is a proud U.S. Navy veteran who served 20 years in various administrative and leadership roles, retiring honorably in 1995 as a Yeoman First Class. Born in Lowell, Massachusetts, and raised in Indiana, Dave enlisted in the Navy shortly after graduating from Lafayette Jefferson High School in 1975.
His distinguished military career included assignments aboard the USS John D. New and USS John Hancock, as well as roles with Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron HM-16, NROTC Ann Arbor, MEPS Detroit and Lansing, and Patrol Squadron Thirty. Dave’s service reflected his commitment to duty, leadership, and excellence.
Following his military retirement, Dave continued public service with the City of Jacksonville Supervisor of Elections, retiring in 2022. In 2005, Dave’s life was forever changed when his son, Pfc. Timothy J. Seamans, was killed in action in Samarra, Iraq. In his honor, Dave founded the Timothy J. Seamans Memorial Foundation, now Florida Fallen Heroes, which has dedicated 17 Fallen Soldier monuments across Northeast Florida.
Dave currently serves as President of Florida Fallen Heroes and CEO and Cofounder of Florida Gold Star Families, Inc., continuing his mission to honor the fallen and support military families. He is also actively involved with the Veterans Council of Duval County, American Legion Post 9, VFW 7909, the Filipino-American community, and Navy Wives Clubs of America Daughters in Dixie #300, where he serves as President.