Vietnam Veterans Day March 29

March 29th has been designated as Vietnam Veterans Day here is Minnesota. It is a day set aside to honor the soldiers that fought in the Vietnam War. Many were scrutinized for their involvement in this war, but many were drafted and did not have a choice to be there.

We, the Blue Star Moms of Sauk Centre, are honoring them at an open hose on March 25th at the Sauk Centre Legion. We would like to invite any Vietnam veteran  to attend with their family and/or a  friend. We will have a social hour at 1 p.m., with a short ceremony at 2 p.m. and then continuing until 4 p.m. A lunch will be served.

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Sauk Center Events Calendar

Blue Star Mothers

Date: February 1, 2012

Event Description Working to support our troops and veterans. 

 

 

SPIRIT OF GIVING: Packages for troops

Local members of the Blue Star Mothers and employees of the AmericInn of Two Harbors and their families helped to package up the boxes. The packages will be sent to troops from Duluth and Hibbing.

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Blue Star Moms ship packages to men and women serving overseas

The Pine City chapter of the Blue Star Moms gathered at the Braham Post Office the morning of Thursday, Oct. 20, to ship 38 boxes of donations to armed forces personnel serving overseas. A 4-H group donated $400 to pay for shipping.

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Blue Star Mothers Group Helps Soldier's Families

(ABC 6 NEWS) -- Dozens gathered in Kasson today to show their support for those throughout the state who are serving or have served.
The Blue Star Mothers group is giving hope and strength to the very mothers who created it.
'Steven is very caring, courageous, as all of the soldiers,' said military mom, Pauline Berg.
Steven is Pauline's 19-year old son who is currently deployed in Africa.
'It's his first taste of getting deployed and our first taste of having him gone,' said Berg.
And that's why Berg has joined Blue Star Mothers.
On Saturday, members as far away as Duluth came together in Kasson."

KAALtv.com - Blue Star Mothers Group Helps Soldier's Families:

Sending gifts and love to the troops

"When the United States fought in World War I, Americans at home did their part to conserve food so there would be more to feed American soldiers and to ship to our European Allies. Food schedules were posted, denoting which meals should be meatless, wheatless, porkless or some combination of the three. On Saturdays, for example, breakfast was meatless, lunch was porkless and the evening meal was supposed to be both wheatless and porkless.*"
It was quite a contrast to today, when the country is engaged in two wars that have had little impact on the day-to-day existence of most Americans.
For family members of those troops, however, the fighting is not something they can or want to forget.
In Duluth, a group of mothers decided that they would form an organization for mothers and stepmothers of servicemen and women that would meet on a regular basis. That was about a year ago; now they are called the Lake Superior Chapter of the Blue Star Mothers.

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Sending gifts and love to the troops Duluth News Tribune Duluth, Minnesota:

Helping those who serve: Even though Americans have not been asked to cut down on the amount of meat, pork or wheat

"There are several remarkable organizations in the Duluth
area that focus their services on helping veterans, current military members and their families. There's the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans, recently recognized by Gov. Pawlenty. Another group doing a great job is the Family Readiness Group at the 148th Fighter Wing, Minnesota
Air National Guard. There's the Blue Star Mothers (see Page 1) and the Family Assistance Center."

We are grateful to all those organizations.
But it's not enough.
Even though Americans have not been asked to cut down on the amount of meat, pork or wheat products we eat so the government can send more food to war zones, there are many measures we can take to support the troops.
We can help the family members who struggle -- to make ends meet or to shovel the nasty combination of ice and snow that keeps carpeting the Northland -- while their loved one is away.

EDITORIAL: Helping those who serve: Even though Americans have not been asked to cut down on the amount of meat, pork or wheat p TradingMarkets.com:

Minn. moms of deployed soldiers support each other (Wahpeton, ND and Breckenridge, Minn.)

"ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) ” Barb Kriesel's son Ryan decided to join the Army when he was 19. Six weeks after enlisting, straight out of boot camp in Fort Carson, Colo., he was deployed to Iraq, where he drove a tank for one year.

That's when the sleepless nights and constant worrying began for his mom.

'I was pretty much a basket case and searching thing online and I stumbled on Blue Star Mothers on the Internet,' she said."

Anyone with a loved one serving in the military knows the anxiety that a late night phone call or knock on the door can cause. Military moms have long come together to talk about these concerns, especially in times of war. One of the groups that helps them cope is the Blue Star Mothers, which has been around since World War II.There are about 240 Blue Star Mothers in a dozen chapters around Minnesota. Moms like Kriesel say they share a mixture of fear and pride for their children.As moms, they admit they'd do anything to have their sons and daughters stay in the United States, working safe jobs that keep them out of harm's way. As citizens, they speak with pride of their children's service in the military.For Kriesel, no one quite understands that emotional conflict like the women in her group.

Breaking News : Minn. moms of deployed soldiers support each other (Wahpeton, ND and Breckenridge, Minn.):

Red Bulls caught with their hands in the cookie jar

"COB BASRA, Iraq – Soldiers on Contingency Operating Base Basra were delighted and eager to tear open buckets of Sweet Martha’s cookies and dunk them in fresh milk, all courtesy of a joint-effort with the Blue Star Mothers of America and the Exchange Clubs of Minnesota to send the classic holiday treat to those deployed during the holidays.
A taste of home"

more... The 34th Red Bull Infantry Division : Red Bulls caught with their hands in the cookie jar:

Blue Daisy Sale Supports troops

"Letters: Blue Daisy Sale Supports troops
The Blue Star Mothers would like to thank J&B Foods, Coborn’s, Snyder Drug of Park Rapids and Walmart for allowing us to set up in your lobbies and everyone who purchased the beautiful Blue Daisies on August 15 in support of our troops."
Letters: Blue Daisy Sale Supports troops Park Rapids Enterprise Park Rapids, Minnesota:

View from a Sawmill: A Richer Life

"View from a Sawmill: A Richer Life
There are times when I am reminded that my life has been enriched by the service and courage of others.
By: Greg Hull, Lake County News Chronicle"
There are times when I am reminded that my life has been enriched by the service and courage of others. It’s something I need to be reminded of, and challenged about. A few weeks ago I went with my father to his USMC reunion. Most of the veterans of B Company out of Duluth are now grey-haired and stooped with arthritis.
...

But by courage and with sacrifice many have served. Consequently lives have
been enriched. Being the “young kid” in a room of elderly Marine veterans
reminds me of that. So does seeing a Blue Star hang in someone’s kitchen window,
or yellow ribbons around a mailbox post.
Maybe our courage and sacrifice can
make their lives richer at the same time.

View from a Sawmill: A Richer Life Lake County News Chronicle Two Harbors, Minnesota:

Ingebrigtsen to address veteran's issues at American Legion meeting | Alexandria Echo Press | Alexandria, Minnesota

Ingebrigtsen to address veteran's issues at American Legion meeting Alexandria Echo Press Alexandria, Minnesota: "Senator Bill Ingebretson, R-Alexandria, will give an update on veterans’ legislation from the past session and what to expect in the next session.
All veterans are encouraged to attend.
The Legion will also be at the Douglas County Fair as a part of the Veterans Council booth along with representatives from the Veterans Affairs clinic, Minnesota National Guard’s Beyond the Yellow Ribbon, Blue Star Mothers, VFW posts and American Legion posts."

Fourth of July festivities a blast

"The parade on Main Avenue was a success, she said. The theme for this year’s parade was an Old Fashioned Fourth of July and a Salute to Our Military. It was organized by the Chamber of Commerce Parade Committee with volunteer support by Park Rapids Rotaract Club.

Pre-parade entertainment on Main was provided by the Colt 45 Band. April Hodge sang the National Anthem while the American Legion Post 212 Color Guard, Marine Corps League Detachment 1109 Color Guard, Boy Scout Pack 58 Color Guard, Bemidji Chapter 7 Disabled American Veterans, Blue Star Mothers and Grand Marshals Leroy Boyce and Don Singlestad presented the stars and stripes."

Fourth of July festivities a blast Park Rapids Enterprise Park Rapids, Minnesota:

Blue Star Mothers form local chapter

"The Lake Superior Chapter of Blue Star Mothers (mothers of military personnel) has recently formed and meets the third Thursday of each month — including this Thursday — at 440 Marshall St. in Duluth.
The group meets to support each other and send cards and packages to deployed soldiers and others, to participate in service-related functions, to keep informed on military news and issues and to support the national organization.
For more information, contact Sara Lund at (218) 724-0661 or sealund@charter.net."

Eh column: Tell Parks and Rec what you want Duluth News Tribune Duluth, Minnesota:

Blue Star Mothers

Backup for Military Families

"Looking to ease the burden on military service members and their families, dozens of local officials and community leaders have come together to create the Yellow Ribbon Network of Washington County.

Group members said they hope to facilitate the work of others by connecting local military families with those who would like to help them and by fostering more collaboration among a wide range of supporting organizations.

'We're looking to bring it all together, so there's a common, locally focused support network, instead of all these disparate resources scattered all over the place,' said Oak Park Heights Councilwoman Mary McComber, one of the group's founding members who is also active in the Blue Star Mothers military support group."

Stillwater Gazette - News:

Blaine’s Blazin’ 4th celebrates nation’s heroes

"The sun bowed into the western horizon as Blue Star mothers and Gold Star families carried the flag on to centerfield at Blaine’s National Sports Center. (Photo by Sue Austreng)"

Local patriots spontaneously raised their voices in the night sky as fireworks exploded in sparkling color during Blaine’s Blazin’ 4th fireworks spectacular at the National Sports Center on Independence Day. “O beautiful for spacious skies, for amber waves of grain ...“For purple mountain majesties above the fruited plain! “America! America! God shed his grace on thee ... “And crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea.”The pyrotechnic salute ignited a patriotic flame in the hearts of revelers Friday evening and provided a climactic finish to Blaine’s 4th of July celebration.“The spirit of patriotism should resound in all our hearts. Let’s hear it for America,” said Blaine’s Blazin’ 4th Committee Chairman Barry Wills.The assembled crowd erupted in cheers and applause as Wills urged them to “always remember our courageous and heroic sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers. Wish them all Godspeed and a safe return home.”As the setting sun bowed down in the western horizon, Wills called for a moment of silence “as we remember our fallen heroes who’ve made the ultimate sacrifice.”The families of Lance Corp. Scott Modeen, Private 1st Class Nick Partot and Sgt. B.J. Beardsley were recognized and thanked for their greatest sacrifice: the lives of their sons killed in action during the war in Iraq and Afghanistan.VFW State Commander Stan Kowalski, a resident of Blaine and the last World War II-generation VFW state commander in the United States, next took the stage.“Without the American soldier there never would have been a United States of America,” Kowalski said, wearing his fatigues and addressing fellow patriots.


ABC Newspapers - Blaine’s Blazin’ 4th celebrates nation’s heroes:

Articles | Park Rapids Enterprise | Park Rapids, Minnesota

Articles Park Rapids Enterprise Park Rapids, Minnesota: "Unhappy knitters Small town newspapers - you gotta love ‘em. They try so hard to be fair, but sometimes others are if not hurt, discomforted, because of their attempts. A recent article brings this point to bear. In the Saturday, June 21, 2008 newspaper an article concerning Leonard LaBonte learning to knit so he could create slippers for his fellow veterans made front page.Unhappy knitters Small town newspapers - you gotta love ‘em. They try so hard to be fair, but sometimes others are if not hurt, discomforted, because of their attempts. A recent article brings this point to bear. In the Saturday, June 21, 2008 newspaper an article concerning Leonard LaBonte learning to knit so he could create slippers for his fellow veterans made front page.

This same group has contributed helmet liners to the Blue Star mothers, mittens and hats to local school children, and has been party to several other ..."

Victory Signs a Big Hit!

The Eagle's Nest Blog: Victory Signs a Big Hit!: "Yesterday we gave away 1,875 of the initial order of 2,000 'Victory Over Terrorism' signs. Again, I want to thank the Minnesota American Legion, the Minnesota Disabled American Veterans, and all those who volunteered their time and their support in making this initial printing and distribution possible. I would also like to thank Stephano's Restaurant, and the many members of Families United, Minnesota Vets for Freedom and the Minnesota Blue Star Mom's who stopped yesterday to get a sign our two."

Veterans Memorial Wall replica in Shakopee

Veterans Memorial Wall replica in Shakopee Chaska Herald: "The Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans (MACV) a non-profit social services agency assisting veterans and their families statewide is hosting the American Veterans Traveling Tribute (The Wall) at Canterbury Park from June 19 to 22nd to draw awareness to veterans issue and the organization itself.
The American Veterans Traveling Tribute (AVTT) is a 383-foot replica of the Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. The AVTT is the largest traveling tribute in the U.S.; it includes a WWII and Korean War Tribute, a Traveling Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, and Tributes to 9/11, Operation Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom."

The Wall goes up for reception and daily events beginning Thursday, June
19th at 12:00 p.m. We’ll feature a special tribute to POWs and Gold and Blue
Star Moms on Thursday evening at 5:00 p.m. Senator John McCain has been invited
to accept the tribute wreath on behalf of POWs nationwide.