FLORENCE — A new memorial will honor the latest generation of military heroes.
Greensboro, NC -- Army
Sergeant Cory Pennel has spent the last year in Afghanistan. Tonight,
he came back home to a warm reception at Piedmont Triad International
Airport. 
The five Gilberts were part of the Valley's Dream Kids
performing troupe for 12 years, under the Dream Come True Foundation.
After the 9/11 attacks, the Gilberts took their work seriously and
started thinking about U.S. military troops who protect our freedoms and
how to show appreciation for their sacrifice. In 2005, they founded the
charitable organization, Sing for America, and continue to perform in
the Valley and along the East Coast to raise donations for families of
active military. They have appeared locally at Mayfair Festival of the
Arts, Musikfest, The Great Allentown Fair, and Coca Cola Park. To date,
they have raised more than $30,000 through donations for the Valley
chapter of Blue Star Mothers.
By RUSTY DENNEN
Maddie Wildie pointed out her hand-painted cards among the dozens
laying on a table at Alta Manor Assisted Living and Memory Care
Community in Roseville.
The
great-grandmothers parachuted Saturday at Allen County Airport to raise
funds for the local Blue Star Mothers chapter and its Lima Veterans
Food Pantry. They jumped in tandem with Elliott and a team of six other
members of the Ranger Group, a band of retired Army Ranger paratroopers
with loads of training and experience.
One of the quilts was made by a group called the
Dona Ana Moms. The quilting group is affiliated with the Blue Star
Mothers of New Mexico and Western Texas. The Blue Star Mothers is a
group of moms whose children either who have served or are serving in
the military. The Dona Ana Moms have created quilts for several years
for New Mexico families having lost a child in combat.
Chrissie Tonge wears the necklace she has worn every day during her son’s yearlong deployment to Afghanistan.
His mother, Karyn Stone Marta, was presented with a Gold Star Banner by
the Tri-Counties Blue Star Moms, to signify the loss of a child in
service to the country.
In an effort to honor fallen soldiers from
Oklahoma, the Broken Arrow Blue Star Mothers and the ladies of the Cedar
Ridge Christian Church quilting group, work together to provide
hand-made quilts to the families who have lost loved ones in combat.
by Sherrie Norris 
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| The members of AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary to Post 726 will be honoring New York State Auxiliary President Rosalee Waid. Waid is a resident of Chautauqua County, and has been very active in Community and State Programs. She served as governor of the Alleghany Region Sertoma Club for two terms, she is president of the Jamestown Real Estate Investment Association, and treasurer and founder of the Chautauqua Children's Safety Education Village as well as past board member of "Share a Dream" for special needs children. Waid is also a member of the Blue Star Mothers. |
GRANITE BAY, Calif. -- The leader of a
Northern California troop support group expressed relief Tuesday
afternoon, after President Barack Obama outlined the U.S. post-war
strategy in Afghanistan.
"It makes us proud to be here... to see the support for our boys and girls." Lynn Cauthen, President of Blue Star Mothers Southern Piedmont Chapter Four
