Army dad makes surprise visit to son's elementary school

OXFORD — Delaying a fourth-grade class's Friday afternoon recess can be dangerous business — but Clara Barton Elementary School teacher Diane Menard gave students the ultimate excuse.

Nine-year-old Dominic J. Mascroft was paid a surprise visit by a soldier — his father, U.S. Army Spec. Brian R. Mascroft — who returned earlier than expected after a year in Iraq.

“See that? I got you out of school,” his father said.

After the Mascrofts reunited with a warm embrace in front of classmates, who responded with rousing applause, Ms. Menard asked the boy if he was surprised.
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Ms. Messier, a member of the Blue Star Mother's organization that conducts campaigns for food drives and contributions shipped overseas to their children and their units, spoke of her son's return.

“It's very heart-wrenching, when you think about everyone over there and what they're doing, not knowing where they are because they can't tell you,” she said. “Moms always like to keep track of their kids and where they are and when they're in the service they can't do that.”



Army dad makes surprise visit to son's elementary school

Norman group seeks donations for military care packages

The Norman Community Initiative Group and Blue Star Mothers of Oklahoma, Chapter 6, is asking the public's help in making care packages for troops serving overseas. The campaign will end with a package assembly party Nov. 6 at Reaves Park.

Read more: http://newsok.com/norman-group-seeks-donations-for-military-care-packages/article/3506965#ixzz13F74QnOH

Norman group seeks donations for military care packages | NewsOK.com

Vets get good food, good advice

"People need to call to reserve a spot," Garrett said.

For the third year, the Blue Star Hoosier Mothers prepared a free breakfast and lunch for people who attended the expo.

Biscuits and gravy were on the menu for breakfast followed by brats, green peppers, onions, red potatoes and green beans for lunch.

"After our meeting last night, I went home and used my mother's iron skillet to fry sausage and make gravy," Gayle Sosbe said. "We have a good time helping Claude out. We honor our veterans. We love to do it. Besides, Claude needs to be out here (among the veterans.)"

Sosbe is the outgoing president of the Blue Star Hoosier Mothers. Lynn Ringis is the new president and Lisa Denau is the new vice president.

Sosbe was wearing an apron she received as a gift.

"It's half Marines and half Navy," she said proudly.

Sosbe said the Blue Star Hoosier Mothers group is growing. As many as 25 people attend the meetings, which are usually held the last Thursday of each month, but the meeting date is changed from time to time, such as in November due to Thanksgiving.

Call Sosbe at 362-5713 for more information.

Vets get good food, good advice - The Paper of Montgomery Co. - Crawfordsville, IN