Mulligans make for large donation to Blue Star Mothers | GJFreePress.com

Mulligans make for large donation to Blue Star Mothers GJFreePress.com: "The Western Colorado Contractors Association recently donated $2,340 to the Blue Star Mothers, a local organization that proudly serves the military families of the Grand Valley.

Golfers stepped up to the plate and donated $1,170 from the purchase of mulligans at WCCA’s 2008 Adobe Creek Golf Tournament on Saturday, June 7.

WCCA’s board of directors decided to match the $1,170, bringing the total contribution to the Blue Star Mothers to $2,370!

Thank you, golfers, for your support of Grand Valley Blue Star Mothers!"

In Tri-Valley, small-town spirit at heart of July 4 celebrations - Inside Bay Area

"San Ramon, Danville and Pleasanton's festivities will mark key anniversaries
By Cindy Luck VALLEY TIMES
Article Created: 07/02/2008 09:11:17 PM PDT


Putting on a spectacular Fourth of July event isn't a quick job.
When San Ramon puts on its 25th anniversary fireworks spectacular Friday, and Pleasanton's Wayside Park is filled with fans of patriotic prose, and Livermore's Robertson Park fills with those eager for fireworks and family fun, you can be sure lots of planning went into the events.
In Danville, the Kiwanis Club of the San Ramon Valley began planning 18 months ago for this year's 50th anniversary Independence Day parade. Friday's parade not only marks the 50th anniversary of the parade, but the 150th birthday year of Danville."

More... In Tri-Valley, small-town spirit at heart of July 4 celebrations - Inside Bay Area:

Soldier reunites with family in Havasu

Army Spc. Patrick Audette Jr. will be able to celebrate America's birthday in Lake Havasu City this year with family and friends. The soldier was enthusiastically welcomed home Wednesday by more than 100 people, after 15 months in Iraq.

After gathering at Wal-Mart Supercenter, Audette was escorted home by a Lake Havasu City Fire engine company and members of the Lake Havasu Patriots, which includes the Lake Havasu City Blue Star Mothers, Patriot Guard Riders, American Legion Riders and Vietnam Veterans of America.Audette served with the 4th Stryker Brigade combat team, 2nd Infantry Division, which saw action in Baghdad and Baqubah, Iraq.Tears began to fill the eyes of mom, Dianne, as she conveyed her overwhelming happiness at having her son home, safe and sound. "He's home. I'm so relieved. I will watch him sleep tonight when he goes to bed," she said. "It's good to have him home and Sunday, we will all be in church together."Audette Jr. said he expects to be home for about a year and a half before being sent back to Iraq or to Afghanistan."

More...Today's News-Herald - Havasunews.com - Serving Lake Havasu City & The Lower Colorado River Area - News - News:

Natick veteran's military burial is first for Missing in America Project in Massachusetts - The Boston Globe

"By Michele Morgan Bolton
Globe Correspondent / June 19, 2008
The crack of a 21-gun salute broke the silence in the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne.
more stories like thisFour years after his death, Master Sergeant Adam A. Kippes finally came to rest in the plot of land set aside for veterans like him. Kippes was the first veteran in Massachusetts to be given military burial honors through the efforts of the Missing in America Project.
The program, founded in Oregon last year, searches for the forgotten cremated remains of veterans that have languished on shelves or in the dusty basements of funeral homes, state hospitals, and prisons - in some cases for more than 100 years."
More...Natick veteran's military burial is first for Missing in America Project in Massachusetts - The Boston Globe:

KVNU's For The People

6/18 FTP: Utah Priorities on Taxes and Spending, Morgan Bowen, Off-shore drilling KVNU's For The People: "Rhonda Hunter of Blue Star Mothers will tell us about a Peter Breinholt benefit concert Saturday."

Blue Star Mom « Militarymother’s Weblog

Blue Star Mom « Militarymother’s Weblog: "Right now - at this very moment, I can honestly say that what I wish more than anything in the whole world and with all my heart, selfish as it may be, is that my son would NOT have to go to war AGAIN. To deliberately go and put his life in jeopardy, goes against every grain of living breathing moral consciousness I have and it makes me sick. I keep saying over and over “I don’t want him to go - please somebody stop him. Please God - can’t YOU do anything to make this horrible deliberate action of insanity, go away?"

HISTORIC TROOP SUPPORT EFFORT!

A team of patriotic leaders are working together in a historic undertaking with the goal of sending the largest single shipment of care packages to U.S. troops in American history. The care package drive will result in the shipment of not just 1,000 care packages -- a feat accomplished by the Grand Ole Opry in October 2007. Organizers similarly won't settle for just the 10,000 packages shipped as part of an impressive effort undertaken by the Nevada Girl Scouts. And they plan to surpass the efforts of the terrific organization, Operation Gratitude, which undertook a multi-day effort to pack and ship 50,000 care packages last year. The shipment is scheduled to go out days before the 4th of July, as a gift from the American people to our military men and women - to thank them for ensuring that our nation remains safe and free."

SOLDIERS' ANGELS TEXAS: HISTORIC TROOP SUPPORT EFFORT!:

Ft. Dix Deployment on Saturday

"This Saturday, June 14, 2008, Eagles UP will join a coalition of patriotic organizations at Fort Dix, New Jersey to join in sending off over 2700 men and women of the New Jersey National Guard. Other organizations participating in what is considered to be the largest troop deployment from the state of New Jersey since World War II, includes ARMS (American Recreational Military Services,) Deloitte Touche USA, VVA899, Gold Star Mothers, Blue Star Mothers and the USO.

Over 12,000 family members, friends and caring private citizens are expected to begin arriving at 5:30 AM to be on-hand to wish our men and women well. Official ceremonies are set to conclude by 12:30 PM."

Eagles Up! - Ft. Dix Deployment on Saturday: