Starting a Payson chapter

Calling all Mothers, Grandmothers, Step-mothers, Foster-Mothers and Legal Guardians of current military members and veterans. I am gathering information about starting a Blue Star Mothers of America chapter in Payson. I am a proud military Mom and would like to do more to support our troops. If you are interested in joining such a wonderful organization please contact me at
720-771-4658

Blue Star Mothers seek items for troops

As a member of the Blue Star Mothers of America, we become accustomed to requests for specific items from deployed troops. We, the Yavapai County Blue Star Mothers, have received just such a request from one of our own sons.

Recently deployed to Afghanistan, this young soldier's unit is working alongside the Afghan troops, training them to fight terrorists. He recently asked his grandmother to send him thermal underwear. When asked what happened to his, the reply was what has become known to us Blue Star Mothers as "typical" of our troops - "The Afghan troops have none." 


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STARS AND STRIPES: Blue Star Mothers Bill Signed Into Law

– On Dec. 30 the President signed into law a bipartisan bill sponsored by U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) in the Senate and Rep. Scott Tipton (R-CO) in the House to expand membership in Blue Star Mothers of America to more mothers of current or former military service members.
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In Lake Havasu City, the Blue Star Mothers Chapter AZ-1 is very active. They participate in the Patriot Guard Riders’ Welcome Home and Deployment missions to recognize the sacrifices our local servicemen and women are making. In addition to participating in many community events, the group also collects donations of personal items from the community to send out care packages to Lake Havasu active duty serving overseas.
All Mohave County mothers, foster mothers, grandmothers, or female legal guardians of someone who is presently serving, or has ever served, in the U.S. military are invited to attend a meeting of the local Blue Star Mothers chapter. Meetings are held on the third Wednesday of every month, 6:30 p.m. at Fire Station No. 2, 2065 N. Kiowa Blvd. Anyone with questions may call 928-715-2761.

Tunnel To Towers: Partners: Blue Star Mothers of America

In 2011, we had eight local Blue Star Mothers of America Chapters host a Tunnel To Towers event in their city. We hope that all eight of them join us again in 2012, and perhaps many more based on some of the successes we enjoyed together.

So, what do they do? They support the troops. 


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Blue Star Moms schedule November Presentation

A local chapter of Blue Star Moms, which supports military families, will make a presentation at 10 a.m. Nov. 8 at Banner Olive Branch Senior Center, 11250 N. 107th Ave., Sun City.
Blue Star Moms of the Southwest Valley are mothers who have, or have had, children honorably serving in the military and represent all branches of the service, including veterans, wounded warriors and the families of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. The national chapter of the organization started in 1942.

The mission of the Blue Star Moms is to support their children in the military and other military families, help in the community where needed and promote patriotism.
Each month the group sends packages overseas to troops.

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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

ASU Gammage hosts military family night | ASU News

ASU Gammage hosts military family night ASU News: "ASU Gammage played host to more than 200 members of military families Feb. 16, as it is provided tickets to families of deployed military personnel to attend Broadway performances.
Family members of the deployed and soon-to-be-deployed soldiers from around the state had the opportunity to see the Disney musical 'Mary Poppins' and meet with the cast.
“ASU Gammage is honored to be able to open its doors to military families,' said Colleen Jennings-Roggensack, ASU Gammage executive director. 'These families sacrifice much for our country – it is our privilege to let them enjoy an evening at the theater together for such an inexpensive cost.”

“Family First Nights is a program that is very well suited to supporting the cultural, entertainment and educational wishes of Arizona National Guard Families," said Major Paul Aguirre, the Arizona National Guard public affairs officer. "It is with great excitement, enthusiasm and gratitude that we look forward to attending the events of the upcoming season at ASU Gammage."
The program is made possible with the generosity of The Broadway League; Retired Command Sergeant Major Chuck Van Dam, a longtime ASU Gammage donor and patron; US Airways; Blue Star Moms; and the Association of the United States Army (AUSA). This three-year program is a partnership with ASU Gammage and The Broadway League's Family First Nights program specifically designed to encourage at-risk families to attend theater on a regular basis.
ASU Gammage also hosted military families to see "Little House on the Prairie" last December and will host families again in June for the 2008 Tony Award-winning musical "In the Heights." For more information about Military Family First Nights, please call (480) 965-5062."

Day of Thanks

"American Legion Post No. 81 launched a new Day of Thanks Sunday to recognize military support personnel who are an important part of military operation but have never been deployed to a war zone."

We want to acknowledge military personnel support with at least a thank you,” said Rick Villegas, president of the American Legion Riders. “We would like to do it twice a month as long as there is somebody who wants to do it.”Recipients are not usually veterans of the front lines but more along the lines of military service personnel, Villegas said.The first military support personnel recognized during the first-time Day of Thanks ceremony was Sarah Jo Lively.

The ceremony was attended by Lake Havasu City Vice-Mayor Don Callahan, Councilwoman Margaret Nyberg, Blue Star Mothers, American Legion members, the VFW commander as well as Lively’s family members.


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

Military wives, mothers gathering socks for troops

"Two groups of military
wives and mothers are on the hunt for one item we often take for granted that U.S. service men and women in Iraq and Afghanistan lack: socks.
The Gold Star Wives of America group in Arizona, as well as the Blue Star Moms organization, launched a sock and valentines drive earlier this month with help from Ahwatukee, Chandler and Tempe area schools."
Military wives, mothers gathering socks for troops:

Veteran Tickets Foundation hosts Military Appreciation night at Fear Farm

(PHOENIX, Ariz.) – Active Duty Military, Veterans and their families will all be honored with a FREE spooky treat as Veteran Tickets Foundation (Vet Tix) hosts Military Appreciation night on Oct. 25 at Fear Farm located at 2209 N. 99th Ave. Phoenix, AZ.




From 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. anyone with an active duty military, Veteran, American Legion, VFW ID or DD214 form is invited to come out to Fear Farm to enjoy five scary mazes, kids activities, military displays including the National Guard #88 NASCAR and Patriot Chopper, and special appearances by the Suns Gorilla and Coyotes mascot Howler.



The regular fee for entry to Fear Farm is $25.



“We couldn’t be more pleased to work with groups like Fear Farm to host events like this,” said Vet Tix CEO Michael Focareto. “The venue is donating thousands of potential dollars they could be making in profit so that military members might enjoy a fun filled night with their families, and we sincerely cannot thank them enough.”



In addition to the corn maze, guests can expect Army recruiters to be on hand with a target shooting game, a pie walk sponsored by Village Inn and Blue Star Moms, face painting and carnival games with prizes sponsored by Kohl’s Department Store.



Activities for young children will run from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Adult corn maze and activities will run from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Welcome Home - Cpl. Derek Tope,U.S. Army, Mesa, AZ,

"It’s Sharon from Blue Star Moms.
My son is going to be FINALLY coming home. He had a 14 month deployment to Iraq ending in late May. He is stationed in Germany so is just getting to come home. He is done with 4 years active duty as a combat medic. He has deployed 2 times – 1st time to Ramadi in “06 and this deployment was Sadr City . He has signed on with the Army Reserves as a physical therapy asst. and will be stationed here in AZ.
The PGR welcomed him home after his first tour and I am hoping you will consider welcoming him home this time too."

Welcome Home - Cpl. Derek Tope,U.S. Army, Mesa, AZ, 07 SEP 09 > Patriot Guard Forums - Americans Doing the Right Thing ; Patriot Guard Riders:

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 of America, Arizona Chapter: Yahoooo!

Blue Star Mothers of America, Arizona Chapter: Yahoooo!: "He'll be in Tucson later today! Thanks to all of you, I made it thru his deployment. God Bless all of you!"

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:

The contrasts of Cindy McCain

The contrasts of Cindy McCain -- chicagotribune.com: "
This campaign is a completely different experience for McCain from 2000, when her husband ran on what was essentially a good-government platform. This time the political debate has been focused on war while the McCains' son Jimmy has been in combat overseas. Everything about the race has been personal."

I was scared to death for him. Any mother is. And each day, we would go someplace and of course, usually there was a parent or parents there of a fallen hero," she said. "To me, it was a constant reminder of what could happen."Throughout Jimmy's deployment, Cindy McCain kept her BlackBerry close at hand. "She slept with that phone attached to her wrist," said her close friend Sharon Harper. "She never knew when he would call, and she just waited for it.

"Once, while riding the bus in Florida during the primary there, McCain set her phone to vibrate and put it in her lap. When she looked down a little while later, she realized that she had missed Jimmy's call and burst into tears.

Each day on the campaign trail, McCain has worn her Blue Star pin — a replica of the Blue Star flag—worn by mothers of children who are on active duty in theater. She alternated a second pin, wearing a USMC or a Navy pin for the military branches her sons serve in."

NG Returning Home

Blue Star Mothers of America, Arizona Chapter: "The Arizona Republic
Mar. 28, 2008 12:00 AM
They were part of the largest deployment for the Arizona National Guard since World War II. They had been in Afghanistan for a year.

This week, they came home.

About 100 members of the 1st Battalion, 158th Infantry Regiment began returning to Arizona on Thursday."

Dozens of Air Force reservists from Tucson to deploy next week

Blue Star Mothers of America, Arizona Chapter: Dozens of Air Force reservists from Tucson to deploy next week: "About 80 reservists stationed at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base will head to the Middle East for more than a year

By Aaron Mackey
ARIZONA DAILY STAR

Dozens of U.S. Air Force reservists based at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base are scheduled to deploy next week.
About 80 reservists with the 943rd Rescue Group, which specializes in combat search and rescue, are scheduled to deploy to the Middle East, says Master Sgt. Shawn McCowan, a unit spokesman.
The 943rd will deploy along with members of its parent unit, the 920th Rescue Wing, for more than a year, McCowan says.
McCowan wouldn’t say when the unit would leave or exactly where the reservists would be sent because of security concerns, which is standard military procedure."

Happy Valentines's Day!

Dave Penn of New Hampshire Army National Guard's 34th RAOC Unit surprises
his daughter, Elizabeth Penn, 18, at a Keene State College dance last night.
(KRISTEN SENZ)

"KEENE – She hadn't expected him home until April, but last night, Elizabeth Penn cried tears of joy as she embraced her father, David Penn, a New Hampshire Army National Guard soldier home from Iraq on a two-week leave.
A freshman at Keene State College, Elizabeth had just walked into a semi-formal dance at Holloway Hall when the song 'Hero' by Mariah Carey started to play.
Her friends, who had all kept the secret for weeks, turned and looked toward the door. That's when Elizabeth saw her father, dressed in fatigues, carrying a bouquet of flowers and a stuffed animal. The two embraced, and the tears started to flow as Elizabeth's friends and family encircled them, capturing the moment forever on cameras and video.
"I'm just shocked," said Elizabeth, wearing a black gown with rhinestones. "I don't know what to say. I'm shaking." "

Blue Star Mothers of America, Arizona Chapter: Happy Valentines's Day!:

Blue Star Mothers of America, Arizona Chapter: NEW MEETINGS!!!

"The mission statement of Blue Star Mothers:
We are a non-profit (501[c]3) service organization supporting each other and our children while promoting patriotism."
As we begin a new year, I have been pondering on what we can do to meet the needs of Blue Star Mothers. After speaking to some mothers who are no longer attending our meetings, it has come to my attention that we are not meeting the emotional needs of many of our mothers. I realize that we are all working full time jobs, we have family responsibilities, and quite frankly no one wants to sit through another fundraising meeting time after time after time.
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Blue Star Mothers of America, Arizona Chapter: January Meeting

Blue Star Mothers of America, Arizona Chapter: January Meeting: "January 29, 2008
Debbie Miller welcomed all members and guests. The meeting was called to order at 6:38pm. Vincent, Debbie Miller’s son led the Pledge of Allegiance.
The Minutes of the November 27th meeting were posted on the website for review and approval. The Treasurer’s Report was given as follows: November balance of $558.10. There were deposits of $234.00 for dues, donations and bracelets resulting in a balance of $792.10 on January 29th."