Movie screening benefits military families

"Cindy McCain and Actor Gary Sinise teamed up on Memorial Day to raise money for military families and promote a documentary about one family's service to the country.
The 'Brothers at War' screening at the Harkins Camelview Theater in Scottsdale raised $100,000 for the National Guard Relief Fund and Blue Star Moms. Actor Gary Sinise, who is a producer of the documentary, signed autographs for dozens of military men and women who were special guests."

Movie screening benefits military families:

Blue Star Mothers welcomes new members in mid-Michigan

"Are you the mother of a son or daughter that is serving or has served in the U.S. Armed Forces?
Then you are invited to join the Blue Star Mothers of America. Blue Star Mothers is a non-profit, non-partisan and non-political organization of service personnel mothers who assist active duty and discharged veterans.

We not only send care packages and letters to our troops overseas, but we assist discharged personnel (veterans) and active service personnel families with any help or support they may need. We not only support active personnel, their families and veterans but we support each other.
Our goal is to show our troops and veterans that we appreciate them and promote patriotism.
Our Chapter covers the Lansing area (Clinton, Eaton, Ingham and parts of Shiaweese County).
We meet the first Monday (except June which will be on the June 8) of the month at 6:30 p.m. at the DeWitt Township Community Center.
If you are interested in joining or have any questions, please contact Betsy Miller at (517) 339-3741 or e-mail milleream59@yahoo.com."


Blue Star Mothers welcomes new members in mid-Michigan lansingstatejournal.com Lansing State Journal:

NH fountain a flowing tribute to veterans' families

"BOSCAWEN – One of the state's newest military memorials is dedicated to those who served on the homefront.
Nestled in a quiet spot at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery, the new Reflection Fountain honors Gold Star, Blue Star and POW/MIA families. The granite fountain is surrounded by magnolia trees that will provide a comforting canopy of white as they grow, and by flowering plants in symbolic colors -- blue hydrangeas, yellow daylilies and forsythia.
The fountain will be officially dedicated next Saturday at 12:30 p.m., as part of the Memorial Day observance at the cemetery.

The project is the culmination of years of efforts by volunteers from veterans service organizations, including the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Blue Star Mothers of New Hampshire.
Karen Thurston, president of the Blue Star Mothers, explained the five pillars that rise from the fountain represent the virtues of loyalty, courage, pride, strength and perseverance. Surrounding the central piece are five granite benches in the shape of a pentagon, representing the military branches: "They always surround their family, and their family always has the soldier's back."
And outside it all are benches for the community, which "surrounds both," she said.
Engraved in color on a granite post is an American flag and colored stars -- blue for the families of those now serving, gold for those who have lost loved ones, and black for the families of those still missing."

UnionLeader.com - New Hampshire news, business and sports - NH fountain a flowing tribute to veterans' families - Sunday, May. 24, 2009:

Blue Star waves for our nation's heroes

"Updated: Sunday, 24 May 2009, 6:53 AM EDT
Published : Saturday, 23 May 2009, 9:18 PM EDT
Story by: Sara Welch
Madison (WTNH) - A Blue Star flag waves in the air for courage and commitment as a special tribute to our nation's heroes.
Downtown Madison serves as the backdrop as proud parents admire the symbol for those who serve.
'We are just so excited to see a labor of love come true on behalf of all the kids who are in harms way right now,' said Bob Russell of Madison.
In the center of the flag, a blue star honors the work of their sons and daughters.

The star represents the sacrifices of those serving but also the support of those standing by at home.
"I'm thinking about a lot of the mothers and that's what that's all about," said Katy.
"It really brings home the pride that we fell for our kids," Debbie said.
"We are thinking of all of them, so we thank you," Katy.
Monday's parade kicks of at 10 a.m. in Madison.
Families in Madison are working on starting their own Blue Star Mothers Group. And right now they are gathering information from families in that area who have had loved ones serve between 1990 and the present."

Blue Star waves for our nation's heroes WTNH.com:

Several area events will observe the national holiday

"Monday is Memorial Day and along with it are a number of services in the area.
The annual Memorial Day program in Jamestown starts at 9 a.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall, located at 519 First Ave. S.
The Jamestown Drum and Bugle Corps will provide music followed by an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, said Charlie Kourajian, chairman of the Patriotic Council of James-town.
Memorial Day is a chance to honor U.S. service members and their families who have made the ultimate sacrifice for America, he said.
Following the pledge and the playing of the “Star-Spangled Banner,” Gold and Blue Star mothers will be introduced, Kourajian said.
Voice of Democracy contest winner Katie Morehouse will give her speech about the sacrifices veterans have made, he said.
The guest speaker will be Capt. Ben Cleghorn from the 191th MP Company N.D. National Guard out of Grand Forks.
Rod Olin will be the master of ceremonies.
Wreaths and flags will then be retired and afterward will be placed at five cemeteries in the area, Kourajian said. "

Several area events will observe the national holiday The Jamestown Sun Jamestown, North Dakota:

Paying homage to the fallen

"Memorial Day offers slew of events, ceremonies geared toward veterans
Bob Quick The New Mexican
5/22/2009 - 5/19/09
Speeches, wreath laying, parades, color guards and military flyovers will honor veterans on Monday.

Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M., will be the keynote speaker at the Memorial Day program at Santa Fe National Cemetery.

The program also includes a wreath-laying ceremony by Blue and Gold Star mothers, parade of colors, color guard and honor guard and POW/MIA candle-lighting ceremony.

Ceremonies start at 10:30 a.m., coinciding with a flyover by aircraft of the New Mexico Air National Guard."

Paying homage to the fallen:

Blue Star Mothers: An army for an army

"A mother's worry never ceases. Thoughts of her children interrupt every breath.

But when her child is 6,000 miles away, in a place she can't ensure is warm, safe and stocked with food and soap, where she can't call, and where her child sleeps with a gun, she finds little solace."...

"You tell Blue Star Mothers that your military son is in trouble, and you bring
on a whole other army," said Ward, who is a 10th-grade social studies teacher at
Western Alamance High School. "Your kid is their kid."

...Eaton then joined the Blue Star Mothers of North Carolina. It was just the therapy she needed, said Eaton, who is now the first vice president of the north central chapter. "They were there for me 24 hours a day when I needed them," she said. "Moms thrive on rhythm and routine, especially when you're a mom of four guys. And my routine was off. One of my chicks was too far from nest." As a member, Eaton helps with fundraisers and visits soldiers and their families. "It made me feel I was doing something proactive while he was being active," she said. "I think I know what to say to moms whose children are now deployed. I know how your heart skips a beat when the news says there has been another death or wounded soldier."

read the full story heraldsun.com: Blue Star Mothers: An army for an army:

Sand Springs Group Making Memorial Day Wreaths

"SAND SPRINGS, OK -- Originally May 30 was Decoration Day. A day set aside to place flowers or other decoration on graves of fallen soldiers.
The name has changed to Memorial Day, and the date has changed to the last Monday in May, but the tradition has remained.
A group in Sand Springs is making that Memorial Day tradition easier. The ladies are making Memorial Day wreaths and flower arrangements.
Pauline Perry is the big bow specialist. 'This makes my 17th year,' she said."

More... Sand Springs Group Making Memorial Day Wreaths - NewsOn6.com - Tulsa, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports - KOTV.com

Peace groups to honor Americans fallen in Iraq, Afghanistan at Memorial Day event

"More than 4,000 names will be read aloud in downtown Reno on Monday, in honor of Memorial Day and in traditional recognition of the people who gave their lives in the service of this country."
Suzzie Wein of Reno, president of the Sierra Nevada chapter of the Blue Star Mothers of America, also will mark the holiday. She is the mother of a young woman serving in Afghanistan and mother-in-law of a serviceman in Iraq. The nonprofit group supports mothers of service people.
“I’d prefer not to be at war, but I totally support what they’re doing,” Wein said.Wein plans to attend Sunday’s Memorial Day parade in Virginia City, while many of her fellow Blue Star Mothers expect to attend the Monday’s Memorial Day ceremony in Fernley.
Peace groups to honor Americans fallen in Iraq, Afghanistan at Memorial Day event rgj.com Reno Gazette-Journal:

Honoring lives and sacrifices

"The sun burned fiercely over the opening ceremony for the Freedom's Heroes War on Terror Memorial Sunday evening, but the fire of respect and honor for service members might have burned a little fiercer yet.
About 300 people attended the ceremony in sweltering temperatures at Calvary Christian Center in Yuba City, where the memorial with the names of nearly 5,000 military men and women who've died during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan will stand through Memorial Day."

Yuba City's Debbie Wood, treasurer of the Tri-County Blue Star Moms, traced the names of two soldiers who'd served with her son, an Army special forces soldier.
"Every friend they have becomes part of your life," Wood said, weeping. "That's why I'm here tonight."
She'll send the rubbings to the fallen soldiers' parents, who she's become close to since they died, she said.
"It's important for them to know that they're remembered," Wood said.
Blue Star Moms president Lori Danby of Yuba City said her son also has several friends' names on the wall.
"Now I have a lot of veterans who are friends. Memorial Day is not just a three-day weekend for me," she said.

Honoring lives and sacrifices memorial, base, ceremony - Top Story - Appeal-Democrat:

Blue Star Mothers to honor woman who fought condo rules

"PERRY TWP. — The local chapter of the Blue Star Mothers of America will present an official Blue Star cloth service banner this afternoon to Marlene Gano, an elderly woman who defied her condo association’s orders to take down her Blue Star Flag.

Gano keeps the flag on her window to honor her son’s Army service in wartime.

The condo association on Channonbrook Street SW reversed course Monday, and its management company, REM Commercial Association Management, said she could dispaly the flag after the company was slammed by a flurry of e-mails and calls blasting the association’s initial stance that the flag violated its rule on window displays."

Blue Star Mothers to honor woman who fought condo rules - Canton, OH - CantonRep.com:

BLUE STAR MOTHERS: Vocational Rehabilitation

"All military veterans who have a disability recognized by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) as service connected which limits their ability to work may be eligible for a benefit called Vocational Rehabilitation.
This is a great benefit and I really encourage anyone who has been injured in the military or is suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder to look into it. It is particularly applicable to those who have physical disabilities that prevent them from doing labor intensive jobs and have few technical skills applicable to the job market, or those who can no longer do the type of work they were doing when they departed for their tour of active duty."

Daily-Jeff.com - BLUE STAR MOTHERS: Vocational Rehabilitation:

Special delivery | Summerville, SC

"Last week, Girl Scouts and members of the tri-county chapter of Blue Star Moms, a non-profit organization comprised of women who have children that currently serve in the military or who have done so in the past, placed the cookies into large packages, each of which held roughly 40 boxes

The partnership between the Girl Scouts of Eastern South Carolina and the tri-county chapter of Blue Star Moms has existed for several years and has been a huge success, said Blue Star Mom Ellen Lewin"

Special delivery Local News Summerville Journal Scene Summerville, SC:

A mom's most joyful day

"Last Mother’s Day, I volunteered at the hospitality tent at Camp Lejeune, making hot dogs and blowing up balloons. Though I was on the giving end, that day I got the greatest gift any mother could get. Our son came back from Iraq.
It rained all Saturday night and into the morning. New moms frantically called and asked if the plane would land. We assured them with a quiet voice that comes from experience that they would."

Those guys had been in a plane for more than 24 hours. Their last night sleeping in a bed was more than 72 hours before that. They spent months dreaming of this day and planned it down to the first meal back on American soil.
By the time they landed, they could close their eyes and taste their favorite beverage. A little tropical storm was not going to stop these Marines.
On the day I die, I’ll remember the unspeakable joy of our first embrace.
Recently our son learned that his tour of duty will not be extended. He plans to come home, join the Reserves and attend college in the fall. Again, I have received a most precious Mother’s Day gift. Our prayers have been answered. He is coming home.
You may know the lyrics of a Civil War song written to celebrate the homecoming of a soldier. It has been played and sung through the ages to mark the return of our troops.
When Johnny comes marching home again, Hurrah! Hurrah!/ We’ll give him a hearty welcome then, Hurrah! Hurrah!/. . . Twill be so good to have ’em home they’ve been so far and gone so long/ What a joyful day when Johnny comes marching home.
On this Mother’s Day, let us remember the moms who stand vigil.
Take a moment to pray for the families of our troops. Pray a special prayer of comfort over those Gold Star Moms who are enduring the pain of losing a child in the service. Pray for safety for our troops at home and overseas. Join us this Mother’s Day in a prayer for peace.

Mary Duty, a Waco schoolteacher and co-owner of Poppa Rollo’s Pizza, is president of the Blue Star Mothers of America Heart of Texas Chapter.

Mary Duty, guest column: A mom's most joyful day:

Blue Star Canteen – Canandaigua « Gathering of Eagles: NY

"Gathering of Eagles: NY
Fighting the Insurgency at Home
Blue Star Canteen – Canandaigua
May 3, 2009 in Briefings, General
The proud Blue Star Moms of NY’s Chapter 1 have pulled off a tremendous victory against all odds!
They saw a need for a soldier’s canteen where troops can rest and relax in a home like setting on the grounds of the Canandaigua VA Hospital.
They identified a victorian structure on grounds which was vacant and in need of repair.
They persevered in pushing their request to obtain a lease on the building all the way up the VA chain of command and, finally, in early April, the papers were signed and the dream became a possibility.
Here is a news report with video.
Here is a slideshow of the condition of the building now.
Blue Star Canteen – Canandaigua « Gathering of Eagles: NY:

May is Blue Star Mothers month in PA

"Rep. Scott Boyd leads a Capitol event to honor Blue Star Mothers in Pennsylvania. (Blue Star Mothers are mothers of children serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.) Boyd welcomed West Lampeter Township resident Mindy Rottmund (red sweater, back row) and other members of the organization for the event. On the day of the event, House Resolution 248, sponsored by Boyd, received unanimous passage in the House to honor name May as Blue Star Mothers month in Pennsylvania."

District 043 : Photo Gallery:

Watch the Video

Read the House Resolution

PA House Republican Video

"5/5/2009
Rep. Scott Boyd announces a House Resolution honoring the Blue Star Mothers in Pennsylvania"
PA House Republican Video:
View Blue Star Mothers

Esther McCabe, Lilly, Pennsylvania, Blue Star Mothers of America

No mother had more at stake in the war than widow Esther McCabe, whose 11 sons all served overseas.
"Esther McCabe had 12 children. That was a lot, even in the 1940s. But it wasn’t what really made her stand out—nor was the fact that 11 of her children were boys, or that she raised them alone. Her claim to fame was that all 11 of her sons were in the military in World War II. It didn’t take long for all of America to find out about that."

America in WWII: Esther McCabe, Lilly, Pennsylvania, Blue Star Mothers of America:

America in WWII: Esther McCabe, Lilly, Pennsylvania, Blue Star Mothers of America

"Esther McCabe had 12 children. That was a lot, even in the 1940s. But it wasn’t what really made her stand out—nor was the fact that 11 of her children were boys, or that she raised them alone. Her claim to fame was that all 11 of her sons were in the military in World War II. It didn’t take long for all of America to find out about that."

America in WWII: Esther McCabe, Lilly, Pennsylvania, Blue Star Mothers of America:

Girl Scouts think of military during cookie sale

"Junior Girl Scout troop #41403 helped Oxford Blue Star Mothers pack Girl Scout Cookies, Starbucks coffee and signed greeting cards to send to the military troops overseas this spring.
The girls collected 73 boxes of cookies for donation to the soldiers through the Girl Scouts’ Cookie Share program, which allows customers to purchase cookies to donate to a charity chosen by the girls in the troop.
This is the third year that the girls have collected cookies to send to military personnel overseas. Starbucks donated the coffee to the Blue Star Mothers."

Girl Scouts think of military during cookie sale:

Blue Star Moms host 1st poker run

"The Sand Springs and Broken Arrow Blue Star Mothers have joined forces to arrange their first annual poker run.

It takes places all day Sunday at the National Guary Armory between 91st and 101st on Lynn Lane in Broken Arrow.

Organizers say registration began at 9 a.m. and motorcycle riders left at 10 a.m., but they will provide food and live entertainment until 7 p.m.

Stops for riders include Verdigris, Sand Springs and Glenpool.

Blue Star Mom welcome everyone to bring donations for the troops."

Blue Star Moms host 1st poker run KJRH.com:
For more information visit: http:///