Blue Star Moms to collect food, toiletries

Staff Report
Posted: 05/23/2010 10:12:25 PM PDT


The Blue Star Moms of Marin will collect donations of food and toiletries that will be used to assemble care packages for combat military personnel.
Donations can be made between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. June 5 at Safeway at 1 Camino Alto in Mill Valley. Blue Star Moms will be on hand to provide a list of requested items before individuals start shopping.
For information, e-mail info@bluestarmomsofmarin.org."

Blue Star Moms to collect food, toiletries - Marin Independent Journal: "Blue Star Moms to collect food, toiletries

Yuba City Dance: Blue Star Moms Gala on Saturday 6/5

Saturday, June 5 6:00p to Sunday, June 6 12:00a
at Sutter County Veteran's Hall, Yuba City, CA
USO Themed Dinner, Dance and Silent Auction to benefit the Tri Counties Blue Star Moms who support our troops with care packages and their children with Mommy and Daddy Dolls - free of change. The event also benefits Home for Our Troops - they build, free of charge, homes for severely injured combat soldiers and Marines."

Yuba City Dance: Blue Star Moms Gala on Saturday 6/5 - Appeal-Democrat

Havasu onlookers come to honor, cheer on vets

By NATHAN BRUTTELL
Today's News-Herald
Published Wednesday, May 19, 2010 11:15 PM MST
They ride for those who cannot . And because he could not, Air Force Staff Sgt. Phillip Holland, of Lake Havasu City, knew he had to see the Run to the Wall riders come through Mohave County Wednesday afternoon."

“This is about them and about what they’ve done,” Holland said. “Someday
I’ll be a veteran but right now I’m here to support them.”Lake Havasu Blue Star
Mothers President Kimberly Nier said the welcome party was simply a “way of
showing our support in any way we can.”“This is the third year we’ve been coming
out here to do this,” she said. “It just gets bigger and better every year.
Seeing these trucks and bikes drive by is just really inspiring and we need to
let them know how much what they did means to us.”

Today's News-Herald - Serving Lake Havasu City & The Lower Colorado River Area

Area troops deploying Sunday

"By Marty Touchette
Daily Review Atlas
Posted May 19, 2010 @ 10:01 PM

MONMOUTH — Units from the 2nd Battalion, 123rd Field Artillery will be deploying Sunday for the Sinai Peninsula. The deployment will involve units from Milan, Galesburg and Macomb with several individuals from the Monmouth area.

The Macomb unit will be traveling north on US Route 67, through Good Hope, past Roseville, Monmouth, and through Viola. People in the Monmouth area who wish to send off the units should gather at the North Junction (US Routes 67 and 34) no later than 9 a.m.

Sunday. Blue Star Mothers of America member Megan Grant will have approximately 25 American flags on hand to help well wishers show their support."

Area troops deploying Sunday - Monmouth, IL - Daily Review Atlas:

Blue Star Mothers honor members of the Armed Forces

"A group in the Grand Strand honored the Armed Forces in a special way on Saturday.
The Blue Star Mothers, a group of about 30 moms of active duty military, gathered at the Veterans Café and Grill behind the Market Common. While there, they placed pictures of their sons and daughters on one of the walls of the restaurant."
see video
Blue Star Mothers honor members of the Armed Forces - WMBFNews.com Myrtle Beach/Florence, SC News, Weather, Sports:

Military families make sacrifices for all of us

The Daily Local News : Serving Chester County: "Chester County Commissioners' Chairwoman Carol Aichele knows what it means to be in a military family. Her husband served in the U.S. Navy when they were first married, and she lived the life of a navy bride. Her son chose also to serve in the military, and has spent time overseas in the Persian Gulf conflict.

And although one could not accuse Aichele of being someone who spends too much time looking backward and not forward, she makes a point when discussing the difference between those families whose children are fighting our country's wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and those who fought our nation's war against germany, Italy and Japan."

"Unfortunately, the public has a very short memory," Aichele said at a ceremony last month declaring May to be Blue Star Mothers' Month, in honor of the organization that supports those families who have sons and daughters on active duty overseas in time of war.

Aichele pointed out that when the Blue Star Mothers organization began in 1942,
more than 60 percent of all American families had family members in the service;
now, less than 1 percent do.

What that adds up to is that service families at times feel adrift in a world that does not always recognize the sacrifices that they are making.

UMES Vets Information Fair

"PRINCESS ANNE, Md. - Veterans on the Lower Eastern Shore had a chance to learn about information that could help them both as they return home from a deployment, and as they get older.
The Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs held an information muster at the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore's Richard Henson Center on May 22. Groups were handing out information not only to veterans, but to their families as well. Among those groups were the Delmarva Blue Star Mothers, which provide support for families with loved ones serving overseas, along with medical groups with locations to help returning soldiers cope with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Veterans have a right to utilize these resources."

more.::. WMDT 47 News Delmarvas Choice .::.:

For Wounded Veteran, New Home a Gift of Independence

Iraq veteran and double-amputee Frank Pierson hasn’t had it easy since a projectile hit the vehicle he was driving in Baghdad, Iraq in March 2008. But he has a lot to look forward to.

Construction began in Plainfield on Friday on a new home for Pierson and his wife, Arielle, that will make it easier for Pierson to get around. Having lost both his legs, Pierson is confined to a wheelchair. The couple currently lives with Arielle’s mother in a house that makes it difficult for Frank to get from room to room.

"Being independent is a huge thing," he said in an interview for Homes for our Troops, the organization that is sponsoring the construction. "I don’t like people helping me all the time. With a new house, it would limit that."

The house is designed for Pierson and his chair. Some of its features include a waist-high stove in the kitchen, and a roll-in shower in the bathroom.

Source: For Wounded Veteran, New Home a Gift of Independence | NBC Chicago

OK Parade for Armed Forces Day

Armed Forces Day

Supporters came out in full force for Del City's 25th annual armed forces day and Shriners' parade. Some of the folks marching included Blue Star Mothers, women with children in the military. The rain failed to slow the parade, which showed support for all sections of the military.

Watch the video!KOKH FOX 25 :: Top Stories

Sea to Shining Sea — Ride Across America

Group of Injured Veterans to Bicycle Sea to Shining Sea — Ride Across America Led by World T.E.A.M. Sports

State Farm® sponsors cross-country ride to honor our nation’s service men and women and their commitment to being there for our country

SAN FRANCISCO, May 12, 2010 – A team of exceptional athletes, many of whom are wounded Iraq and Afghanistan veterans representing all military branches, will depart from the Golden Gate Bridge on Saturday, May 22 for World T.E.A.M. Sports’ inaugural bike trek across America called Sea to Shining Sea. The goal of Sea to Shining Sea is to honor the courage of our service men and women, recognize the strength of the American spirit and challenge perceptions of how we view athletes. The ride will conclude in Virginia Beach on July 24.

Wounded Warriors are riding from SF across the US! Alameda County Blue Star Moms and the Pacifica Military Moms will be providing breakfast to the riders. If you would like to donate please bring your donation to the Veterans Hall in Niles on the 19th of May between 6 pm and 8 pm.
The press release has crossed the media wires!Below is the link to the press release, fact sheet, and ride itinerary. http://www.pwrnewmedia.com/2010/statefarm_00506/index.html
Please encourage folks to come out and rally, cheer these heroes on as they ride through each town! Please help spread the word with your military supporters to celebrante and honor these men and women.

State Farm | For Immediate Release

Resounding Dedication

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KKCO) - The sacrifice of American troops was recognized across the country Saturday. A Color Guard paid tribute to the millions of American heroes at the old Mesa County Courthouse. One veteran's effort to honor fallen soldiers is ringing out across the Grand Valley.

Rain could not deter a flag line of veterans from saluting troops who bravely served their country. "They are there to protect us. They step up, whether it's in the face of fire or if it's in peacetime," says Wendy Hoffman, Blue Star Mothers of America.

Accounts of soldiers who sacrificed everything God gave them were read to the crowd. Vietnam vet Bill Davis devotedly rings a 1,100 pound bell for each name. "It's a tradition that goes back five centuries to honor a fallen warrior," says Davis, also a member of the Patriot Guard Riders.

more Resounding Dedication

Funds needed to raise fallen soldier's memorial roadside signs

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KKCO) - Senator Josh Penry paid tribute to a fallen Grand Junction soldier on the last day of the legislative session, and a portion of I–70 will be renamed for Cpl. Wade Oglesby who was killed by a roadside bomb in 2007.

Signage will designate the first 10 miles of I–70 on this side of the Utah border as the Wade Oglesby Citizen Hero Memorial Highway.

However, the signs will be paid for with gifts, grants and donations.

If you’d like to help get those signs up, you can contact Grand Valley Blue Star Mothers for more information.

Funds needed to raise fallen soldier's memorial roadside signs

Blue Star Mothers of America Monthly Meeting > Lansing, MI >

Events > Blue Star Mothers of America Monthly Meeting > Lansing, MI > Lansing State Journal: "whose children are or have served the U.S. Military. Serving Clinton, Eaton, Ingham, Ionia and Shiawassee counties. Call or e-mail BSMDewitt@yahoo.com for more information."

Captain Paul W. Peña honored at tree dedication - San Marcos Local News

"On May 1, an oak tree on the San Marcos Baptist Academy (SMBA) was dedicated in honor of Captain Paul Peña, a 2000 graduate of the school who was killed in action in Afghanistan on Jan. 19.
More than 100 people were at the ceremony, including Paul’s mother Ms. Cecelia Peña, representatives of Paul’s former Boy Scout troop, soldiers who served with him in the U.S. Army, representatives of his alma mater West Point, an honor guard and a color guard from SMBA’s Bear Battalion, as well as many friends, family members and current and former SMBA faculty and staff.
The plaque adorning the tree was given to SMBA by the Canyon Lake Area Blue Star Mothers. Ms. Peña is a part of the organization. The Blue Star Mothers also presented Ms. Peña with a Gold Star Banner signifying that a soldier has given the ultimate sacrifice in the defense of America."
more... Captain Paul W. Peña honored at tree dedication - San Marcos Local News:

Blue Star Mothers Group Helps Soldier's Families

(ABC 6 NEWS) -- Dozens gathered in Kasson today to show their support for those throughout the state who are serving or have served.
The Blue Star Mothers group is giving hope and strength to the very mothers who created it.
'Steven is very caring, courageous, as all of the soldiers,' said military mom, Pauline Berg.
Steven is Pauline's 19-year old son who is currently deployed in Africa.
'It's his first taste of getting deployed and our first taste of having him gone,' said Berg.
And that's why Berg has joined Blue Star Mothers.
On Saturday, members as far away as Duluth came together in Kasson."

KAALtv.com - Blue Star Mothers Group Helps Soldier's Families:

6th Annual Gold Star Mothers Luncheon

"The Gold Star Mothers are mothers of those soldiers who have lost their lives in combat. This group, along with the Blue Star Mothers, was one of the recipients of funds from this year's Cookin' in Central. More..."6th Annual Gold Star Mothers Luncheon CentralSpeaks.com:

New veteran "honored" to help old veterans get once in a lifetime opportunity

"Tuesday morning, more than 100 local World War II veterans will take off on a whirlwind trip that will bring them face-to-face with the World War II Memorial in Washington DC."

See Video
New veteran "honored" to help old veterans get once in a lifetime opportunity:

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KKCO) - Tuesday morning, more than 100 local World War II veterans will take off on a whirlwind trip that will bring them face-to-face with the World War II Memorial in Washington DC. Another group of folks will be joining them to help move them from place to place -- a group who says they're honored to do that job.
Five-and-a-half months into his six month tour of Iraq, Marine Bryan Chambers' unit was hit by an IED.
"It was a pretty big IED," says Chambers. "It flipped a 14 ton vehicle, ripped a three ton engine and threw it like 40 yards."
One soldier in the vehicle with him was killed and he lost part of his leg. But the man who spent the better part of a year overcoming that kind of adversity says he was troubled to hear about an issue facing another group of veterans.
"They've never even seen their memorial," says Chambers. "Some of them just came back home and they've stayed in the Grand Junction area for their whole life since coming back from war."
Chambers first heard about Honor Flight from his sister. After he learned what it was the group did, he decided he wanted to help World War II veterans see the symbol of their country's appreciation before they're gone for good.
"They were on the beaches of Normandy -- that's on a whole different level," says Chambers. "That's just my way of thanking them for it."
Chambers says he's excited to be part of this experience. And as a new vet himself, he hopes he gets just as much out of seeing the World War II memorial as the World War II vets do.
"You see it when you're by yourself and it's just one those 'yeah, that's kind of cool things,'" says Chambers. "But when you actually see that with someone who was there I think it's that much better."

Disabled Veteran Receiving New Home, Independence - Denver News Story - KMGH Denver

Disabled Veteran Receiving New Home, Independence - Denver News Story - KMGH Denver: "ELIZABETH, Colo. -- The Homes For Our Troops building brigade is hard at work in Elizabeth, constructing a handicap accessible home for Marine Lance Cpl. Kade Hinkhouse, who lost his right leg while serving in Iraq."