A tribute to veterans - UMass Medical School - Worcester

Members of the military from the UMass Medical School and UMass Memorial Health Care communities and their friends will have an opportunity to meet and mingle at a pre-Veterans Day observation. The UMass Memorial Office of Diversity and Inclusion is hosting a tribute to veterans on Tuesday, Nov. 6, from 2 to 3 p.m. at Knowles Hall, Memorial Campus.

A tribute to veterans - UMass Medical School - Worcester

Flag raising honors veterans

Flag raising honors veterans

Worcester State University will mark Veterans Day, Nov. 8, by raising a flag that was flown by members of the 181st Battalion, Army National Guard in Afghanistan. The Worcester-based battalion received the flag from state Sen. Stephen Brewer and after flying it in Afghanistan, battalion members who were also Worcester State students donated the flag to the university.

The ceremony will begin at 2:30 p.m. at the flagpole between the Shaughnessy Administration Building and Chandler Street. A reception in the rotunda for Blue Star Mothers will follow.

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Basketball tourney named in honor of fallen Marine

But in addition to being named after him, this year's tournament, which was held the weekend of March 17, also included a special presentation by local artist Gina Johnson in conjunction with the Blue Star Mothers organization, of a pair of hand drawn portraits of Woitowicz.

"Gina and the Blue Star Mothers found the Woitowicz family because they do things with fallen soldiers and connected with them," said Moore. "They found out about the tournament and asked to present the portraits to the family then."

Read more: http://www.nashobapublishing.com/groton_news/ci_20339845/basketball-tourney-named-honor-fallen-marine#ixzz1sLb1b1vZ

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.
...

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

Blue Star Mothers to host lecture

A"LEOMINSTER — The Blue Star Mothers MA Chapter 1 will host a lecture by Retired Army Command Sergeant Major Sam Rhodes at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30, at the Veterans Center, 100 West St., Leominster. Rhodes is a PTSD survivor who now travels the country offering his story as hope for our military heroes who find themselves in the same postion"
Blue Star Mothers to host lecture www.thecommunityjournal.com Community Journal:

Flags find rightful place in veterans' hands

"Flags find rightful place in veterans' hands

BY PHYLLIS BOOTH PBOOTH@HOLDENLANDMARK.COM
The more than 1,000 flags created by Thomas Prince School students for the town's Memorial Day observances are finding a second life, bringing smiles of appreciation from veterans in many areas of the state."

Flags find rightful place in veterans' hands www.thelandmark.com Landmark:

On 9/11, volunteers help support those who keep us safe

"(NECN: Alison King, Boston, Mass.) - Many people in Boston are heeding President Obama's call to service today, including many military families.
Bags of candy, playing cards, band aids -- just some of the dozens of items that were being packed up and shipped off to service members overseas, thanks to dozens of volunteers who took time out of their day to make more than 300 care packages.
The service project on the Rose Kennedy Greenway was the brainchild of those who run the Mass. Military Heroes Fund, along with the late Senator Ted Kennedy, who initiated the effort to make 9/11 a national day of service and remembrance."

On 9/11, volunteers help support those who keep us safe NECN:

Newburyport's Blue Stars - Newburyport, MA - The Newburyport Current

"Newburyport - Mayor John Moak and Essex County Sheriff Frank Cousins spoke to a modest crowd gathered in the City Council chambers
'“This is a tremendous effort to be able to honor men and women serving in the armed forces today,'” Moak told the small group that included George Roaf, commander of the Newburyport American Legion, veteran Dexter “Dec” Mead and Marine Corps Maj. Robert Murphy. “'We are where we are today because you protect our lives and our liberties.'”"
Newburyport's Blue Stars - Newburyport, MA - The Newburyport Current:

GOOD-WIL BRUNCH TO HONOR BLUE STAR MOTHERS

"FITCHBURG - The Good-Wil Music Brunch will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, April 19, at the Fitchburg Armory, 14 Wallace Ave. This month's brunch will honor the Blue Star Mothers Massachusetts Chapter 1.
Entertainment is provided by Wil Darcangelo with his five-piece infused jazz ensemble. The band also showcases other local singing talent during the performance. Tickets are $12, $8 for seniors and children under 12 (children under 5 are free).
Local vendors are welcome to display their goods and raffle prizes will be drawn every 20 minutes. Good-Wil cookies will also be on sale. Remaining brunch performances are May 10 and June 14. All proceeds go into the Good-Wil Annual Fund to be distributed among the 11 selected organizations for the season. For information, please visit www. good-wil.org."
More...GOOD-WIL BRUNCH TO HONOR BLUE STAR MOTHERS www.leominsterchamp.com Leominster:

A community remembers

"A community remembers
Kristine Maguy lifts a candle skyward in honor of Pfc. Roberge. Roberge's mother, Pauline and sister, Meghan comfort one another during the vigil. Friends and classmates of 'Jonnie Ro'' feel the weight of his loss. Thousands of residents showed up to City Hall, breaking the darkness of a cold February night with blazing points of light. Gold and Blue Star Mothers know the pain of the Roberge family all too well. John Roberge addresses the crowd, sharing stories of his 'big deal' son."
More pictures -- A community remembers www.leominsterchamp.com Leominster:

Natick veteran's military burial is first for Missing in America Project in Massachusetts - The Boston Globe

"By Michele Morgan Bolton
Globe Correspondent / June 19, 2008
The crack of a 21-gun salute broke the silence in the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne.
more stories like thisFour years after his death, Master Sergeant Adam A. Kippes finally came to rest in the plot of land set aside for veterans like him. Kippes was the first veteran in Massachusetts to be given military burial honors through the efforts of the Missing in America Project.
The program, founded in Oregon last year, searches for the forgotten cremated remains of veterans that have languished on shelves or in the dusty basements of funeral homes, state hospitals, and prisons - in some cases for more than 100 years."
More...Natick veteran's military burial is first for Missing in America Project in Massachusetts - The Boston Globe:

Our thanks - Scituate, MA - Scituate Mariner

Editorial -- Our thanks - Scituate, MA - Scituate Mariner: "Starting at 10:30 a.m., the parade will take off from town hall, marching down First Parish Road to Lawson Park. Participants will include police and fire departments, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Amercian Legion, Gold Star Mothers, Blue Star Mothers and local officials. All of them, and the spectators along the route, will give our fallen heroes the thanks they deserve."

‘Respect and honor

"As Memorial Day approaches, Rockland’s Maureen O’Haire is doing her part to make the day memorable, and worthy for her son Walter, and the men and women who proudly marched beside him.

Maureen’s 20-year-old son Marine Lance Corporal Walter O’Haire was killed by enemy fire in Iraq on May 9, 2007."

Blue Star Mothers whose children are currently serving in the military will be marching in the parade, and as a Gold Star Mother — a mother who’s lost a son or daughter in service to the country — Maureen was asked to participate.

Respect and honor:’ Rockland Gold Star mother has special plans for Memorial Day - Rockland, MA - Rockland Standard:

Regional calendar -

Regional calendar - Nashoba Publishing Online: "Wednesday, May 21
Blue Star Mothers: 7 p.m., Leominster Veteran's Center, 100 West St., Leominster; Monthly meeting of Mass. Chapter 1 of Blue Star Mothers (those with children in the military); Guest speaker will be Floyd Truitt, master woodcarver who started the 'Eagle Cane Project.' Visit bluestarmomsmassch1.org to learn more."

The Big Macs: PPS

The Big Macs: PPS: "Back to the PPS's ~ The Blue Star Mothers will be doing a mailing in July and I've promised them as many as we can make, so ~ amongst all my other projects ~ I'll be making these for quite a while."

Concert to benefit Blue Star Mothers

Concert to benefit Blue Star Mothers: "Concert to benefit Blue Star Mothers


LEOMINSTER - The Montachusett Chorale will perform at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 27, in Tata Auditorium, Leominster City Hall, 25 West St. Tickets are $12, $15 at the door (under 18 admitted free). Proceeds from this concert will benefit the Blue Star Mothers Massachusetts Chapter 1."

‘No news is good news’ for Brockton mom

‘No news is good news’ for Brockton mom - Brockton, MA - The Enterprise: "BROCKTON — Danielle Grealish says she has tried to be upbeat and positive since her only child, Sean, was deployed to Iraq in February of last year.
“Some days are a lot better than others, I’ll tell you,” said Grealish, 52, an accountant. “We have a really wide circle of friends, relatives. I have the Blue Star mothers. God bless them all.”
Army 1st Lt. Sean Grealish, 25, is serving his first tour of duty in Baghdad, his mother said Tuesday."

Tragedy on the homefront:

"Tragedy on the homefront: Rockland woman who died after house fire worried about her daughter in Iraq"

The grief stretched all the way to Iraq, where Kelly-Nelson’s 22-year-old
daughter serves as a private first class in the Army. Deanna Kelly graduated
from Weymouth High School in 2004, and often seen at the Weymouth Police Station
visiting her mother while home on leave.‘‘She couldn’t have been a better
support system and friend,’’ Mayhew said.Kerrin and her mother were regulars at
the Weymouth post office, where Deanna’s picture hangs on a bulletin board
alongside other locals deployed overseas. They would mail supplies to Deanna
just about every day, and the whole family would help in CarePacks’ group
packing sessions.Even though Kelly-Nelson’s home was damaged by fire, a Blue
Star Mothers Banner, hung by mothers with sons and daughters in the military,
still hangs in the front window.‘‘There wasn’t a time that I’d talk to her that
she wouldn’t talk all about her daughter and how proud she is of her,’’ Mayhew
said. ‘‘Sometimes she’d be in the middle of conversation and say, ‘Got to go,
Deanna’s on the other line.’’’

By JACK ENCARNACAOThe Patriot Ledger
WEYMOUTH - Kerrin Kelly-Nelson was good at concealing her worry about her daughter Deanna, an Army private serving in Iraq.But if a few days passed without hearing from her, the unease would show, friends said. Deanna knew this, and did her best to keep her mother from worrying.‘‘Every time Deanna had a moment or an opportunity, she was letting her mom know that she was OK,’’ said Stephen Doyle, president of CarePacks, a Weymouth-based nonprofit that sends supplies to troops. ‘‘In these situations ... tragedy is usually on the other end. It’s usually the soldier over there that you’re hearing about, not the family. It’s just so sad.’’Friends expressed shock as word spread that Kelly-Nelson, a Weymouth police dispatcher and an Army veteran herself, died Wednesday after a fire in her Rockland home.Authorities are investigating how Kelly-Nelson died. Firefighters found her unconscious in an upstairs bedroom after a propane tank in the first-floor kitchen exploded. An autopsy has yet to be performed. The cause of the fire has also yet to be determined.The details of the fire puzzled many who were close to her, including friend Jeannie Mayhew.Firefighters said a tank of propane gas, the kind used with outdoor grills, was left near the gas stove in the house. The tank exploded after a fire started in the kitchen.‘‘It is so confusing because she’s a 911 operator, I can’t imagine her even putting something so flammable next to a stove,’’ Mayhew said. ‘‘Kerrin and I always joked that she didn’t cook, so maybe she thought leaving the tank near the stove was OK. I also know Kerrin didn’t smoke in the house because it bothered (her husband). She would often call me from outside while smoking a cigarette.’’



More...Tragedy on the homefront: Rockland woman who died after house fire worried about her daughter in Iraq: