(CNN)First lady Melania Trump is expected to attend a White House event on Monday evening to honor Gold Star families, her spokeswoman, Stephanie Grisham, confirms to CNN.

Although the President and Mrs. Trump hosted a similar event last year, the attendance of the first lady at this year's reception will mark the first time she has participated in an official event, either alone or by her husband's side, since May 10 when the first couple greeted freed American prisoners upon their return to Andrews Air Force Base following captivity in North Korea.

Monday's reception is closed to the press, but following last year's Gold Star families event, the White House released the following statement about the event with these remarks from Mrs. Trump: "Gold Star families have lost an immediate family member who was serving during wartime, and they are a unique and distinct category of individuals who should be cherished. These families have endured the ultimate in pain and sacrifice on behalf of our country, and I am honored to have spent the evening with them. My husband and I commit to always pay tribute to our active service military, veterans, and the families who love them."

Grisham tells CNN the first lady has been holding meetings with her East Wing staff about her platform initiatives, as well as planning for upcoming White House events.

https://www.cnn.com/2018/06/03/politics/melania-trump-return-public-gold-star-ceremony/index.html