Fallen heroes honored

"As Carole Bryant tied patriotic balloons around Kiroli Park's bandstand Monday for the Blue Star Mothers' Memorial Day service, it was obvious her thoughts were thousands of miles away.

Her husband, Josh, is currently serving his first tour in Iraq. He arrived there May 1.

Bryant, who lives near Farmerville, said she joined the Blue Star Mothers organization in November because she was looking to meet others who knew what she was going through.

'They are always there for me to talk to … and with a husband in Iraq, I always need someone to talk to,' she said as she moved around the bandstand with dozens of balloons."

more...The Ouachita Citizen: News: Fallen heroes honored (Citizen photo presentation included):

Palisade mother welcomes son home from Iraq

BY SARA GOLDENBERG

GRAND JUNCTION (KJCT)- A Palisade mother welcomed her son home from Iraq today after seven long months.
Twenty one-year-old Justin Aysse is a Field Lineman with the U.S. Marines.
He's from 29 Palms California... And his mom, Julie Dominguez, says it was the first time they've been separated for this long.
She says they communicated by e-mail, but sometimes she wouldn't hear from Justin for weeks.
Julie says not a day went by when she didn't cry... worrying about her son.
Julie and her daughter are new to the area and say they're thankful for the heartfelt welcome home Justin received from the community.

Julie is a member of the Grand Valley Blue Star mothers and the National
Blue Star Mothers Yearbook Editor.

Justin will be in Palisade for three days, and then heads back to the base in California.
"I'm so proud of him, words just cannot express. I'm proud and I ache when I'm away from him, and the fear is tremendous. But all I can say is we're all so proud of him," said Julie.
"Just the fact that there's actually people out there that care about what's going on over there, it's a real blessing," said Justin.
Justin will head back to Iraq next March.


Palisade mother welcomes son home from Iraq

Enid Item Drive

The Enid News and Eagle, Enid, OK - Bulletin Board for 5-29-08: "Blue Star Mother’s chapter fundraiser slated Saturday



Enid’s Blue Star Mothers chapter will host a membership and donation drive from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Wal-Mart Supercenter, 5505 W. Garriott.

Blue Star Mothers, made up of women who have or have had children in the military, is seeking donations for its Freedom Boxes, which are sent each month to local troops stationed overseas."

Green Chile, Chapstick and Neck Coolers

Santa Fe Blue Star Mothers -- Video

Neighbor Newspapers - Cookies headed for troops overseas

Neighbor Newspapers - Cookies headed for troops overseas: "Beth Conley and Dan Kachel, of the Sand Springs Station restaurant, show some of the cookies being sent to troops overseas.

SAND SPRINGS -- Sometimes, it's the little things you miss the most. Like a fresh, handmade cookie just like mom used to make. For the troops overseas in the scorching deserts of Iraq, those little things seem worlds away.


With the help of the Sand Springs Station restaurant, Beth Conley is making sure the soldiers of the 45th Infantry Division can have a little taste of home. Conley is shipping out dozens of cookies, donated by Chef Dan Kachel's restaurant and cooked by Rosa Cousins, to Iraq.


'I'd like to try to get people to do something extra special for troops around Father's Day and the Fourth of July,' Conley, whose son Sgt. Beau Conley is with the unit, said. 'They like the homemade things.'

Conley said she wanted to provide encouragement and let the soldiers, who are nearly six months into their deployment, know they are remembered back home.

For Kachel, it was an easy call to donate his restaurant's goodies to the troops.

'Anything we can do to help,' he said. 'Happy to.'

Conley said that anyone wanting to make a donation can contact the Sand Springs Blue Star Mothers, an organization of family members of troops, for suggested donations. The Blue Star Mothers can be reached at www.sandspringsbluestarmothers.com"

Crafty Blue Star Mothers hope to help soldiers keep cool |

Crafty Blue Star Mothers hope to help soldiers keep cool GreenvilleOnline.com The Greenville News: "GREER -- Soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan might be able to stay a little cooler, thanks to the efforts of the Greenville Blue Star Mothers.

The group is holding a workshop Saturday in Greer at which members, and anyone from the community interested in helping, will make “cool ties,” or 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 Middle East, who often wrap them around their necks or put them in their helmets to provide some measure of relief from summer temperatures which can reach 140 degrees, said Toni Gilstrap, president of Greenville Blue Star Mothers.
“Anything you can do to get a little cool in there helps,” Gilstrap said.
The cool ties are made by sewing together strips of fabric, and filling them with the tiny crystals using a funnel, then sewing together the ends of the tie. “Anyone that can sew, cut, even fill or iron (is welcome),” Gilstrap said. She said family members of group members have expressed frustration that similar store-bought items are only good for one day before the crystals begin to leak out, or stop retaining their coolness. Gilstrap said searches for store-bought wraps that were well-constructed and reusable didn’t pan out, so group members decided to make their own. “And plus, there’s a little bit of love sewn in there,” Gilstrap said. The workshop will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 31 at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 300 O’Neal Road. For more information, call 877-4090 or 313-9632."

MAY 17th NATIONAL ARMED FORCES DAY

"One of the joys in living in a small town is the way the community gets behind events. Last Saturday was just such a day here in Coweta.
Blue Star Mothers had a campaign of selling yellow T-shirts to the community that had the blue ribbon that said 'Coweta Support our troops' and below the ribbon 'until they all come home' Blue Star Mothers is a nation wide organization of mothers who have son's serving in the Armed Forces. They fix up care boxes to send to the troops. Coweta has the only current Blue Star Mothers Club in Oklahoma."

More...Penless Writer: MAY 17th NATIONAL ARMED FORCES DAY:

“Happy Birthday, America”

Blue Star Mothers, Special to The Observer
As the 4th of July draws near, the Rio Rancho Blue Star Mothers begin preparations for their “Happy Birthday, America” care packages for the military.
If past experiences hold true, more than 300 boxes will be mailed on June 23.
According to Blue Star Mother Marla Griffith, “These boxes symbolize home and assure the troops that friends and family haven’t forgotten them.”"

Rio Rancho Observer Online:

Somber, celebratory events mark holiday in Grandview

"As the nation pauses for a weekend to remember those who have lost their lives while defending it, many cities around the country will hold poignant events in honor of fallen servicemen.

Grandview Heights will be among them with its annual slate of events.

The city will hold its annual memorial service, sponsored by the Tri-Village unit of the Blue Star Mothers, at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 22 at Memorial Park between Oxley Road, Northwest Boulevard and West Second Avenue."

Columbus Local News: > Archives > Region > News > Somber, celebratory events mark holiday in Grandview:

Defending Earmark Reform and Our Nation's Veterans

Bosse 2008: "Grant was honored to address the Gold and Blue Star Mothers of New Hampshire, speaking to the importance of honoring our nation's veterans each and every day of the year."

More...Bosse 2008: Defending Earmark Reform and Our Nation's Veterans:

Organizations come together to honor fallen soldier

"FLETCHER - The bikes rumbled into the parking lot of the small restaurant in Fletcher. Members of the Western North Carolina Blue Star Mothers, including fathers and grandmothers, stood with American flags in their hands.

Four years ago, in November 2003, a Henderson County native was killed in Baghdad, Iraq, in a Jeep accident while serving in the Army. On Saturday, Robert Roberts was honored at his parents' restaurant, the Fletcher House, by the Mothers and the Patriot Guard Riders for his service to the county.

'It's amazing four years after the fact,' said Charles Norman, Roberts' father. 'The story in the story is even four years after you have this kind of support.'"

Organizations come together to honor fallen soldier Serving Henderson, Transylvania and Polk Counties North Carolina BlueRidgeNow.com:

Blue Star Mothers starts a Wayne County chapter

"Wayne County now has a Blue Star Mothers organization.

Gloria Shuttleworth of Centerville started the organization after a meeting in Richmond on May 17. The group includes five Blue Star mothers and totals about 18 people.

Blue Star mothers have sons or daughters serving in the U.S. armed forces. The organization is designed to support troops serving overseas and their families at home.

The group is planning another meeting in June but members have not yet set a date.

For more information or to join, call (765) 966-6527."

Blue Star Mothers starts a Wayne County chapter pal-item.com Palladium-Item:

Crooked X rock band autographs fundraising memorabilia

"COWETA - Members of teen rock band Crooked X stopped by the Blue Star Mothers building recently to autograph a host of items that will be auctioned off during the Coweta Patriotic Festival in June and at Fall Festival in September.
Money raised for the Blue Star Mothers will be used to mail freedom boxes to soldiers. Funds raised for the Downtown Advisory Board will go toward the development of a skateboard park."
Everything from bags, t-shirts and visors to a skateboard, tennis shoes and backpacks will make their way to the auction block for both organizations. Plans for a silent auction are still being developed. Band members Boomer Simpson, Jesse Cooper, Josh McDowell and Forrest French, from left, clown around for the camera during a photo shoot for an upcoming television program featuring the band. Coweta's highly popular rock band will be appearing live on stage this Friday, May 30 at Olympic Stadium in Stockholm, Sweden as the opening act for Kiss.

Rock on, Crooked X!
Neighbor Newspapers - Crooked X rock band autographs fundraising memorabilia:

More From "THE UNION" Newspaper

"(Sue Horne shown left)
Such is the case in the race for the state's 3rd District Assembly seat, currently held by Rick Keene. Nevada County Supervisor Sue Horne and Yuba County Supervisor Dan Logue - both Republicans - have been in the midst of a spirited, often nasty battle that should be settled on June 3. When the dust does settle, we hope Horne will be headed to Sacramento, where we believe she will serve Nevada County in the same outstanding manner she has served us as a member of the Nevada County Board of Supervisors the past several years."
She is also a patriot, whose boundless energy helped give us our own Blue Star Moms chapter, recognizing the many mothers whose sons are serving our country today. Her own son served in Iraq. She also helped found the Nevada County Pregnancy Center.POST SCRIPTS: More From "THE UNION" Newspaper:

Blue Star Mothers, teachers team for the troops

"Blue Star Mothers of America and Choctaw-Nicoma Park school teachers teamed up Monday to raise funds to send packages to troops overseas.

Teachers and staff at Choctaw High School, Nicoma Park Junior High, Indian Meridian Elementary, L.W. Westfall Elementary and Nicoma Park Elementary made donations to the Blue Star Mothers in order to wear jeans to school Monday.

“A lot of the teachers also wore patriotic shirts,” said Joanie Rice, second vice president for Blue Star Mothers, South Oklahoma City - Chapter 6 and nurse for the Choctaw-Nicoma Park school district.

The group raised more than $500 from the five schools and Nicoma Park Intermediate, which held its fundraiser May 14.

“It was a fantastic fundraiser,” Rice said. “Choctaw-Nicoma Park is a wonderful group that has really supported our fundraising.”"

The Sun - Blue Star Mothers, teachers team for the troops:

Blue Stars plant tree for troops

Neighbor Newspapers - Blue Stars plant tree for troops: "he tree was planted in front Shoemaker's Photography, 208 N. Main, where the photographic portraits of many area servicemen and women are on display.

The tree was donated by Riddle's Plant Farm, 3510 Summit Blvd. Katheryn Earle, with Riddle's, was on hand to supervise the planting.

Micki Hallock, with Blue Star Mothers, said the group wanted to plant the tree 'to give back to the community.'

Hallock thanked area residents who donate items and help pack the care packages the group ships to troop overseas each month.

She noted the downtown area had lost many of its trees to the December ice storm; another reason for planting the tree.

'Next spring, when the redbud blooms, we hope the heart-shaped flowers will remind people of our young men and women serving this country,' Hallock said.

The Blue Star Mothers, each month, ship packages containing personal care products, snacks, games, and greeting cards and letters to military personnel overseas.

The group meets the last Monday of the month at the American Legion Post, 500 N. Main, at 7 p.m. to pack and ship the boxes.

Volunteers are always welcomed to help pack the boxes for shipment, Hallock said."

Operation Cozy Comfort

"The Hughes Sullivan Show, which I co-host from time to time, is committed to the Troops through the Blue and Gold Star Mothers. For Memorial Day we have been working on a Project named Operation Cozy Comfort. I am asking my readers and the show's listeners to drop off twin size blankets for our troops in two Baghdad hospitals TODAY Thursday, May 22 between 4-7 p.m. at the following three drop off stations.

Macomb County: in Warren at St. Marks Church on Bart off Ryan and North of 9 mile.

Clinton Twp: the Wolverine Harley Davidson on Gratiot South of M-59.

St. Clair County: the Neimans Market on Carney Drive in the City of St. Clair.

Please help us meet our goal of sending out at least 500 blankets this Memorial Day Weekend. If you have any questions, please contact the show at"
MI MORNING UPDATE: "Special Guest" for Fisher Dinner-stay tuned...Dems continue to snub MI | Redstate:

Our thanks - Scituate, MA - Scituate Mariner

Editorial -- Our thanks - Scituate, MA - Scituate Mariner: "Starting at 10:30 a.m., the parade will take off from town hall, marching down First Parish Road to Lawson Park. Participants will include police and fire departments, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Amercian Legion, Gold Star Mothers, Blue Star Mothers and local officials. All of them, and the spectators along the route, will give our fallen heroes the thanks they deserve."

RadioMilwaukee’s Soundboard

Blue Star Mothers: Sue Gourdoux
"Blue Star Mothers is an support organization for moms with sons and daughters currently serving in all branches of the US Armed Forces. Sue Gourdoux recorded a message for her son, Sgt. Joe Gourdoux, who has served two tours in Iraq.
(Listen to recorded message for Sues son)
Memorial Day. « RadioMilwaukee’s Soundboard:

Late Blue Star backer lauded

Tulsa World: Local, area briefs: Late Blue Star backer lauded: "The Blue Star Mothers chapter in Tulsa will present an award at 11 a.m. Friday in remembrance of one of its biggest supporters.

Tulsa chapter member Denise Patterson said the award will be presented to Stephanie Johnson in honor of her father, the late Larry Johnson, a longtime Blue Star Mothers supporter.

The award will be presented at the Chickory and Chives Cafe, 3121 Charles Page Blvd., where Stephanie Johnson works. Larry Johnson died last year and was buried on Memorial Day.

The cafe has a wall dedicated to veterans."