Monday, June 23, 2008

An effective way to support our Troops: help the Blue Star Mothers of America

"There are many ways to support our troops, actions more effective than a bumper sticker on your car. Such as supporting the Blue Star Mothers of America. Founed in 1942, they support our troops in many ways. Sending packages, sending letters to those with no families, and a dozen other ways — and supporting each other through the trials of having a child in one of our Armed Forces."

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Wayne - Wounded Warrior III Poker Run : Gathering of Eagles: NY

"Patriot Guard Riders of New York and VFW Post 6778 of Palmyra, NY, are hosting the Wounded Warrior III Poker Run on Saturday, July 26th in Palmyra, NY.
Proceeds from this event will benefit projects for wounded Warriors."

Wayne - Wounded Warrior III Poker Run : Gathering of Eagles: NY:

Appreciation to people of Morgan Hill for support of Blue Star Mom fundraiser

"Dear Editor,

On May 17 a South Bay Blue Star Mom fundraiser was held at the Morgan Hill Nob Hill Store. A big THANK YOU to the good people of Morgan Hill for their contributions that will be included in our next care package event to the troops currently deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan. I also want to thank Nob Hill Store Manager, Ralph Aguinaga. He and his courtesy clerks were very kind and a great help to us during this event. Thank you again.

Lolly and Jamie Amato
Proud of our Marine"

MorganHillTimes.com Letters: No sports and recreation fields in southeast quadrant:

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Former Blue Star Mother Dies at 96


Ruth “Toots” Dickhoff, 96, of Charles City, died Tuesday, June 3, 2008, at the Floyd County Medical Center in Charles City.Funeral services for Ruth Dickhoff will be held 10 a.m. Saturday at the Hauser Funeral Home in Charles City. Reverend Carl Ries, pastor of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, will officiate. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery at Charles City.Friends may call at the Hauser Funeral Home from 9 a.m. until service time on Saturday where the Rosary will be recited at 9 a.m.Ruth Mae Green Dickhoff was born January 9, 1912, at Charles City, the daughter of William and Edith (Bovia) Green. She received her education at Charles City. On April 29, 1932, she was united in marriage to Donald Dickhoff at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Charles City. Donald died on November 23, 1959. Toots spent her life working for others. She was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and past member of the Blue Star Mothers and Vista Volunteers. Her interests included gardening, baking, canning, reading, dancing, fishing, singing and playing „500‰. Her life centered around her family and she took every opportunity to share her life with them.Living family members include three children, Bill (Jeanette) Dickhoff of Des Moines, Sharon Herman of Charles City and David Dickhoff of Mt. Pleasant; 14 grandchildren; 27 great grandchildren; 12 great great grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Marie (Don) Nord of Minn.; and several nieces and nephews including Gayle Green.She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; two sons, Danny and Chuck Dickhoff; a daughter, Jeannine Bluhm; an infant grandson, baby Dickhoff; a great grandson, Stephen Davidson; three brothers; and three sisters.The Hauser Funeral Home, (641) 228-2323, www.hauserfh.com, in Charles City, is in charge of arrangements

Councilmember Sue Digre is a 'Military Mom on a mission'


"It might be surprising to know what things soldiers request most often from Pacifica Military Moms.
Nylons, for instance, and socks.
Nylons are used to cover guns so the sand doesn't get in. Socks doused in water at night serve as a cooling container for water bottles — this makes water less likely to boil and easier to drink.
There are also reequests for those small toys from fast food outlets. Soldiers can put a bunch of these toys in their pockets, along with little bouncing balls and candy, and hand them out to the kids they meet."
Councilmember Sue Digre is a 'Military Mom on a mission' - Pacifica Tribune Online:

Blue Star Mothers work to keep soldiers cool

"The group is holding a workshop Saturday in Greer for anyone in the community interested in making 'cool ties.' The ties are bandana-like wraps that contain tiny crystals which, when moistened, stay cool for eight hours.
The cool ties will be sent to troops serving in the Mideast, who often wrap them around their necks or put them in their helmets to provide relief from summer temperatures, which can reach 140 degrees, said Toni Gilstrap, president of Greenville Blue Star Mothers."
More...Blue Star Mothers work to keep soldiers cool GreenvilleOnline.com The Greenville News:

Blue Star Mothers March In Parade - Post-Journal


"WESTFIELD — The Chautauqua County Chapter of the Blue Star Mothers of America Inc. recently participated in the Westfield Memorial Day parade.
Members passed out candy and flyers with information about their collection campaign to send patriotic holiday packages to local service men and women serving in the United States military. "

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Almost home

"Passengers boarding planes at San Jose's airport Saturday morning applauded as war-weary members of the California Army National Guard's 349th Quartermaster Company disembarked after a year in Iraq. The unit also was greeted with hugs by Debi Brewster, top, and other members of the South Bay Blue Star Moms. The troops' journey home started about five days ago and was to end with a bus ride to Camp San Luis Obispo, where they were to be reunited with their families. Christina Kent, above, carries her talisman, a stuffed dog she got six months ago in a care package."
Almost home - San Jose Mercury News:

Packers Donate Black Cap Money

"The Green Bay Packers help give military organizations a financial boost.
This week, the team, along with American Family Insurance, presented a $340,000 check that'll be split-up among groups like the American Legion, the USO, Operation Homefront, and the Blue Star Mothers.
The money was raised through the packer's charity cap campaign. More than $68,000 worth of the black caps were sold.
The proceeds will help active-duty service men and women across the country -- as well as their families and our nation's veterans."

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Group honors soldier killed in Afghanistan

"One-hundred and sixty-five strangers and friends spanned three Carson City blocks on Friday afternoon dressed in red shirts and carrying American flags.

They shared a sole purpose, to honor American service members on an occasion that was solemn, the anniversary of the death of a Gardnerville native Chief Warrant Officer Joshua Rodgers."

More... Group honors soldier killed in Afghanistan Nevada Appeal Serving Carson City, Nevada:

Moms to talk about support for troops

"CANANDAIGUA — Learn how the Blue Star Mothers of America Inc. supports America's sons and daughters in the military.

Blue Star Mothers' New York Chapter 1 will hold an open house from noon to 4 p.m. May 31 and June 1 at the former New York State Electric and Gas Corp.'s customer service center, 60 Phelps St. Refreshments will be served."
Moms to talk about support for troops democratandchronicle.com Democrat and Chronicle:

Monday, June 2, 2008

Blue Star Mothers


"Moms with military kids find support in each other
By Oscar Halpert
Enterprise editor
In a few weeks, Susan Crisafulli will see her son, Daniel, again. He's returning from Iraq, where he's served in the U.S. Army since 2004, most recently, at a base in Baquba, fighting in a war that began with the U.S. invasion of March 2003.

For much of those four years, the Lake Forest Park woman has sought and received emotional support from the local chapter of Blue Star Mothers of America, an organization that got its start during WWII and is open to mothers with children in the military."


"There needs to be more community awareness of our returning veterans and
more out there for them," said Merinda Mullins, chapter president. Her group has
nearly 50 members who pay $10 a year in dues. Others, like McKinney, who doesn't
have a child in the military, can join as associate members.

There are a lot of organizations that want to tag-team with us," Terwedo told the members. "People want to know what they can do for X amount of dollars. You don't get it if you don't ask for it."Aaron Terwedo graduated from Cascade High School in Everett and enlisted at age 20. His mom says he'd wanted to be a police officer very early -- in his teens -- but wasn't old enough. Then he met an Army recruiter at high school. When he's finished with the service, Aaron, 24, plans to work as a police officer, Terwedo said.Tara Terwedo says the two terms Aaron's been serving, which included more than 18 months in Iraq, have been challenging."It comes and goes in waves," she said of worry. "The best word that describes it is raw; you're just raw."She says she's proud of Aaron."The first time he went over there, he was in Tikrit," she says. "He guarded the ballots so people could vote in the elections."


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