Signed Act amending BSMA Charter

Act that changes membership eligibility in Blue Star Mothers of America.
Resolution voted on at National Convention, Grand Junction, CO, Aug 2010
Official: A bill to revise the Federal charter for the Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc. to reflect a change in eligibility requirements for membership. as introduced.
Senate Bill S.1541
House Bill H.R.2815
Official Summary
12/5/2011--Reported to House without amendment. (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Revises the membership eligibility requirements of the federal charter for the Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc. Redefines "mother" to mean a woman who filled the role of birth mother. Adds, in addition to adoptive mother and stepmother (as in the current charter), foster-mother, grandmother, or legal guardian of a person who is serving in the Armed Forces or has served in, or has been honorably discharged from it (as in the current charter). Repeals the limitation to service in World War II or the Korean hostilities of the Armed Forces service of the eligible mother's son or daughter. Allows the eligible mother to be a U.S. citizen living outside the United States. (Currently the charter limits membership to eligible mothers living in the United States.)
Passed Senate     Nov 18, 2011
Passed House     Dec 06, 2011
Signed by the President     Dec 13, 2011

Wendy Hoffman Speech

Wendy Hoffman Video

Viola Drath: A remarkable life hijacked

Viola Herms Drath had been to the Blue Star Mothers convention the week of Aug. 8, and she spoke excitedly about an upcoming family dinner at the Prime Rib on K Street and her great-granddaughter’s first birthday. She was pleased that, even at 91 years old, her calendar was so full.
But by the end of the week, she was found dead.

story

Band of Mothers Founder Takes on Congress, Again

Gathering of Eagles: "Posted On: June 28, 2008 at 9:02 PM By: Chris Hill
Our very own Blue Star mother, and Band of Mothers Founder Beverly Perlson, is heading back to the nation's capital to turn up the heat on Speaker Pelosi and the rest of Congress. For several months now, she has stood on the corner in front of the Canon Office Building during high profile votes.
On 8, 9, and 10 July she will be back with patriotic music and signs telling Congress to do the right thing concerning our brave warriors in the desert. We are asking any of you in the D.C. area to consider giving up a few hours one of those days. We recognize that it is a Tuesday through Thursday, work days for those of us who pay for the machinery of the country. Bev will be out there from 0900 to 1700 hrs though come rain or come shine.
Please consider a few hours to support Bev and the brave troops who make our way of life possible. I will personally take the train in one afternoon to stand with her. I've always said three things:
1) I'll never ask any of you to do anything I won't do, 2) We don't all need to do every thing, we just all need to do one thing and 3) Not only would the men and women in the desert do it for you, They Already Are.
Let's show those brave warriors, and the honorable members of Congress just how much we care. Thank you all for your never ending service to the cause. Manchu
Chris Hill"

John Murtha is Sorry -

John Murtha is Sorry - "Representative John Murtha is one sorry man, and by sorry, I do not mean apologetic. His efforts to smear the military in the court of public opinion, the Marines in particular, has been elaborate, elongated and disgraceful. It is hard to fathom that this man was ever a member of a group that he seems to hold in such contempt. His distaste has such a powerful hold on him that, when asked on Nightline on January 2, 2006 if he would join today’s military, the Vietnam Veteran and Marine firmly answered, “No.” One can only assume the feeling is mutual."

...Several veterans visited Congressman Murtha’s office to deliver their message and leave information. Identifying themselves as Marines, they asked Mr. Murtha’s staff if he could spare a moment to chat with them and answer a few questions. This simple request was rebuffed and not even a lowly staff member could make the time to talk to these members of our military. One can only speculate on who the Congressman had on his calendar that would not even allow a 3 minute conversation with Veterans to hear, firsthand, what is happening on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan. Perhaps his afternoon was filled with driving lessons for Senator Kennedy.

After the visit by the Marines, several Blue Star mothers also paid a visit to Murtha’s office to speak with the Congressman or a staff member. This request was similarly denied.

After expressing displeasure at their unwillingness to meet with constituents, the mothers left the building. The Congressman’s staff reaction to this four minute conversation was particularly ironic in light of Murtha’s harsh words about our military’s ability to handle stress.

As they left the building and returned to the Cannon building area, 4 Police cars with flashing lights pulled up and 7 Policeman surrounded one of the Blue Star Mothers and requested she step aside. They asked if she had been in the Rayburn Bldg and what was her business was. She explained that she sought an opportunity to speak with the Congressmen or one of his staff. The officers took her driver’s license and detained her for several minutes. She was told that Murtha’s office had called them because she was “disruptive.”

When asked for comment, Matt Mazonkey of Murtha’s office now claims, “She was never asked to leave our office, nor was she insulted by any member of our staff.” So, she was not asked to leave but police were called to detain her? She was not asked to leave but she became the recipient of a United States Congressman’s attempt to use the Capital Police to intimidate a citizen? Has Murtha and his staff spent a little too much time at the Clinton school of doublespeak?

Blue Star Mom Deborah Johns

A NEWT ONE- THE TRUTH SURGE!: "Move America Forward's Director of Military Relations, Deborah Johns will be SonlitKnight's very special guest on American Truth Warriors tonight! Don't let the pretty face fool ya folks, this marine mom is as tough as nails! The show can be heard at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/anewtone beginning at 7 PM Eastern/ 4 PM Pacific. The chat room will open 1/2 hour prior to the start of the show. To be on the show with Deborah call 646-652-2670"

A special note 11-11-07

"A SPECIAL NOTE TO THE PEACE-NIK COWARDS ON THIS SOLEMN DAY
Only after war, was peace found.....at the 11th hour, of the 11th day of the 11th month. Here are the words I want to say to those people. Here are the words I'd like them to hear loud and clear; Sayonara, See ya later, Go home, Get out of my country. If you don't want to support my troops then go live somewhere else. and the politicians...get this message.... If you cannot support our troops, if you cannot stand behind them, then stand in front of the parents because we do not have to follow the rules of engagement.

~Blue Star Mom Deborah Johns.
September 15th, 2007 Washington, DC "

A NEWT ONE- THE TRUTH SURGE!: