"We were the seventh chapter to be formed in Florida and the only chapter
to be formed in Northwest Florida," said Cindy Maney, founder and president of
the chapter.
Maney said she formed the group to help mothers get involved in volunteering opportunities, support each other and share a wealth of knowledge.
Membership is open to anyone who has or has had a child in the military. Others can attend meetings and participate in functions as an associate.
MembersoftheNorthwest Florida Blue Star Mothers met recently to make care packages for deployed family members.
Like the organization itself, the packages served two purposes. They were symbols of the love and support the deployed soldiers had waiting at home and helped members of the new organization bond over a common thread.
Rosie Taylor's son will be called to serve in Afghanistan sometime this year. The Fort Walton Beach resident joined the new chapter in search of the support she would need while he was gone.
"Belonging to this group has already given me the heads up on several issues," Taylor said.
Although she grew up in the military and has a husband who served, Taylor said she had a lot to learn when her son joined the U.S. Marine Reserves.
"I didn't really know what to expect when my son was away at boot camp. I had to learn very quickly what support he would need from me," she said.
"You can send a husband to war but sending a son to war is a completely different feeling, and you need that support," Maureen Taylor said.
The women swap their own version of war stories at the monthly meetings. None have more to tell than Mary Jane Hickman.
"I don't have any in the service right now, but I did," she said. "I had three boys. They were all in it at once. One was killed in Vietnam."
"I have a son in the Army and two sons in law in the Air Force," said Barbara Dunbar of Crestview. "I thought it would be nice to get together with other moms."
Since last October's inception, the organization has participated in card and letter writing activities and prepared care packages.
"We are looking forward to growing so that we can get involved in some service projects and support as many mothers as possible who may be interested in joining us," Maney said.
Blue Star Mothers of America got its name from the Blue Star Service Flag, which is displayed during wartime, Maney said.
"It is our sons' and daughters' commitment to serve their country that binds us together," the Shalimar mom said. "As difficult as it is (sending a child to war), I feel a deep sense of pride knowing that my two sons are helping to defend our country's freedom. I can come together with these other moms who share my concerns as well as my pride."
The group meets at 5:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the month at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Shalimar.
BUSRF Local women form chapter of Blue Star Mothers:
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