Blue Star Mothers Carla Stimac, left, and Rita Gibson share stories of how members of the veterans service group support each other through the difficulties of having children in the military. (Lucas Ian Coshenet/The Daily Times)
"Blue Star Mothers offer support to soldiers' families
— By Debra Mayeux — The Daily Times
FARMINGTON — Mothers don't like to be separated from their children. Even when they are adults, making their own choices, it is difficult to think about them being far away and possibly in danger.
The Blue Star Mothers face this reality every day. Their sons and daughters are in the military stationed on bases far from home, serving in the war in Iraq, or battling terrorists in Afghanistan. This veterans service organization provides support for the parents of U.S soldiers.
"Once you have a child that joins the service, you are automatically a Blue Star Mother, and you remain one forever," said Rita Gibson, president of the local chapter.
Gibson's son, Sgt. Kenneth Gibson, is at Fort Leonardwood, Mo. Injured in Iraq, he is recovering and will not be deployed again for three years.
There are several Blue Star Mothers in San Juan County, and Gibson said she considers all of the young men and women to be her sons and daughters. She teared up when talking about the five servicemen from our area that were killed in active duty, saying that her goal as a Blue Star Mother is to be there offering support for all military families in need.
"One phone call to one person and we're there," Carla Stimac said.
The latest local casualty was Staff Sgt. Kevin Roberts, who was killed in Afghanistan on Wednesday.
Stimac's son, Sgt. Gary Groomer, served 15 months in Afghanistan and is in Fort Polk, La. It was not easy for Stimac, when Groomer decided to enlist. He had been a Marine for four years and came home, but after Sept. 11, 2001, he decided to re-enlist in the Army.
"People are supportive, but it's hard," she said. "Every minute of every day, you think about them."
Blue Star Mothers are there to help families through those difficult times and to provide a shoulder when the tears start to fall.
"The ones who are deployed they (the parents) have a hard time. We're there to rub their backs and hold their hands," Gibson said.
She is doing just that for Kim Clemensen. Her son, Spc. Tyler Clemensen is in Iraq. His one-year anniversary of being there on a second deployment was May 5.
"You have your fears and your worries, but you back your children's decision," Clemensen said. "There's ups and downs and worries and fears. It's great to have a group to share that with."
The Blue Star Mothers meet twice a month, once for a business meeting and once to share. They also conduct fundraising activities to supply the troops with different necessities.
When a serviceman is injured and taken to a hospital, he has nothing, not even clothes. The Blue Star Mothers provide them with telephone cards to call their families and with clothing to wear while in the hospital.
A recent fundraiser sponsored by Phone Cards for Freedom and facilitated by Tres Rios Abate, raised $20,000 for the mothers. Of that money, $10,000 will be used for telephone cards. The rest will go toward other types of military support programs.
Blue Star Mothers also helps the families of fallen soldiers.
"When a soldier falls the blue star' turns to gold," Gibson said.
Those families receive a Gold Star banner from the chapter, whenever they are ready to receive it.
"We go by what their (families of fallen soldiers) needs and wishes are — from financial assistance to comfort," Clemensen said.
Official membership in the Blue Star Mothers comes with an annual $10 registration fee. One-half of that money stays with the local organization.
For more information on the Blue Star Mothers visit www.bluestarmothers.org or call Gibson at, (505) 325-3834. "
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