Blue Star Mothers plan to honor, gather Gold Star Mothers

The Blue Star Mothers want to help honor any and all Gold Star Mothers on Gold Star Mothers Day on September 30.

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Saturday Wish List

Addresses: The Blue Star Mothers of Coastal Carolina are looking for the addresses of any deployed military personnel to send Summer Hero Boxes to. Email complete name and mailing address to proudarmymom@aol.com.

Read more here: http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/2012/08/17/3003508/saturday-wish-list-for-the-myrtle.html#storylink=cpy

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Rare holiday lunch for Blue Star Mothers, service member children

Some local moms got together for lunch with their kids Wednesday. That may not seem to be unusual, except that these were all Blue Star Mothers and their children were service members home on leave over the holidays.

Grand Strand Blue Star Mothers to Hold Children's Christmas Party in Little River

Published on Thu Nov 17 19:34:23 EST 2011
The Grand Strand Blue Star Mothers would like to invite the children of National Guard, reserve and active duty military, and the children and grandchildren of veterans to a Christmas party being held Dec.4.

Read more: http://www.thesunnews.com/search_results?aff=1100&q=Grand+Strand+Blue+Star&x=0&y=0#ixzz1e6EqkNgk

Operation Heartfelt Salute

Columbia Place mall Mall has kicked off an Operation Heartfelt Salute campaign to support military members and their families.
The campaign, which continues through March 12, includes a letter-writing program and care package delivery to soldiers.
Shoppers can stop by the mall offices and write a note of appreciation on specially prepared postcards. Or they can donate items for care packages to be sent to deployed military personnel.
Suggested care items include DVDs, CDs, toiletries, cheese and cracker packs, canned fruit, pudding, chips and other packaged food items. Items can be dropped off at the mall office between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday or between noon and 2 p.m. Saturday.
Residents also can buy Operation Heartfelt Salute bracelets for $1 each to support Blue Star Mothers and other organizations that support the troops.

Read more: http://www.thestate.com/2011/02/28/1716286/rantin-epworth-home-being-renovated.html#ixzz1FHFOxXvz

Rantin: Epworth Home being renovated - Bertram Rantin - TheState.com

Blue Star Mothers honor members of the Armed Forces

"A group in the Grand Strand honored the Armed Forces in a special way on Saturday.
The Blue Star Mothers, a group of about 30 moms of active duty military, gathered at the Veterans Café and Grill behind the Market Common. While there, they placed pictures of their sons and daughters on one of the walls of the restaurant."
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Blue Star Mothers honor members of the Armed Forces - WMBFNews.com Myrtle Beach/Florence, SC News, Weather, Sports:

A Salute to Military Moms

Low Country Blue Star Mothers in Bluffton

National American Legion Commander Clarence Hill

SC"National American Legion Commander Clarence Hill, and Blue Star Mothers of Coastal Carolina, Carol Dion, Rita Parks, Jane Gale and Sharon Russell."

The Girl Scout cookies are in

"Thin Mints, Peanut Butter Patties, Caramel deLites and more have gone out to all corners of Aiken County, but don't be discouraged if you didn't pre-order because there are still plenty of chances left to get the sweet treats."
...
Mina Krohn-Vernon, also from Troop 5225, said the key to a successful sale is to be friendly."I mention Cookies for Soldiers," said Abigail Miller of Troop 5140.Those more interested in contributing to Scouting than in purchasing cookies can buy a box or more to be sent to U.S. troops serving overseas. The local Girl Scout Council is collaborating on the Cookies for Soldiers project with the Columbia chapter of Blue Star Mothers of America Inc.

more...
The Girl Scout cookies are in Aiken Standard Aiken, SC:

Wars in Afghanistan, Iraq reality of post-9/11

Wars in Afghanistan, Iraq reality of post-9/11 GoUpstate.com Spartanburg Herald-Journal Spartanburg SC:

War has marred much of the past decade.


From the devastating attacks on New York and Washington, D.C., on Sept. 11, 2001, to the ever-growing number of lives lost by America and its allies overseas, the past 10 years have epitomized the fight to retain a way of life.


"Our military has done a wonderful job in keeping us free for the last 100 or so years, and they're not going to let us down now," said Jim Harbison, American Legion Post 28 adjutant. "I can't talk for the politicians" -- he laughs -- "but I know the military will not let us down."

...
"Just this month, Lowe's Home Improvement chipped in $25,000 of the $35,000 needed to bring 200 National Guardsmen training in Wisconsin home to Spartanburg and Fort Mill for the holidays.
And groups like the Blue Star Mothers regularly send care packages overseas -- despite the high cost of postage."

Military service separates families at Christmas

"For most families, Christmas is a time of joy, of celebration, of gathering with loved ones to sing carols, share gifts and rejoice in the warm embrace of family."
For some Upstate families, though, there’s something missing this holiday season, one hole in the scene around the tree – a family member deployed.
“When he’s deployed, he’s constantly on our minds,” said Joyce Stanford, whose son Scott is currently in Afghanistan. “But I think during the holiday season when you have more family around, that’s that one person that’s missing.
“You’ve got gifts for them under the tree, but they just stay there until they get home,” she said.
Lillian Flemming feels that absence three times over. The mother of 10 has three sons currently serving overseas in South Korea, Kuwait and Afghanistan.
“This will be the first Christmas that none of them have been near home in all of their lives,” she said of Emanuel, J.M. II and adopted son Davit Gooseby.
For Flemming and her husband, J.M., it’ll be an altogether different holiday without a table full of people.


Military service separates families at Christmas greenvilleonline.com The Greenville News:

Grand Strand groups' gifts brighten U.S. troops' holidays

"If those in the military don't receive any holiday cheer this season, it won't be for lack of efforts by folks on the Grand Strand homefront.
Area volunteers including local chapters of national organizations and grass-roots groups are doing their best to gather goodies to brighten the holidays of troops serving overseas and stateside.
Members of the Grand Strand Blue Star Mothers and Coastal Carolina Blue Star Mothers were busy last week packing more than 60 boxes with homemade cookies, toiletries, current movies and more for mailing in time for Christmas delivery."

more... Grand Strand groups' gifts brighten U.S. troops' holidays - Local - TheSunNews.com:

Military honor, Oct. 29 |

Military honor, Oct. 29 islandpacket.com: "Army Capt. Patrick L. Devine, son of Michael and Scherlie Devine of Sun City Hilton Head, recently was awarded the Bronze Star for his service in Iraq. Devine is set to return to the United States in November after completing a 12-month tour in Iraq with the 82nd Airborne Division"
Scherlie is a member of Low Country Blue Star Mothers.

A Hero's Salute at SCTAC in Greenville, SC

Gunner's Military News Blog - from USAFNS: "Greenville, SC – On October 16th at 2:oo PM, as Marines in dress blues escort the last few Gold and Blue Star Moms, Iraqi delegates and special guests to their respective places, Families United Toward Universal Respect/ FUTURE presents A Hero's Salute at SCTAC in Greenville, SC. There, among a sea of waving American flags, North Greenville University's Brass Ensemble will set the tone for the afternoon's featured speakers, which include Iraqi delegates, SC Congressman Bob Inglis and retired Lieutenant General Garry L. Parks – former Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs U.S. Marine Corps. To show support on an official visit, Iraqi ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Samir Sumaidaie, will be attending and and participating."

Gunner's Military News Blog - from USAFNS

"Greenville, SC – On October 16th at 2:oo PM, as Marines in dress blues escort the last few Gold and Blue Star Moms, Iraqi delegates and special guests to their respective places, Families United Toward Universal Respect/ FUTURE presents A Hero's Salute at SCTAC in Greenville, SC. There, among a sea of waving American flags, North Greenville University's Brass Ensemble will set the tone for the afternoon's featured speakers, which include Iraqi delegates, SC Congressman Bob Inglis and retired Lieutenant General Garry L. Parks – former Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs U.S. Marine Corps. To show support on an official visit, Iraqi ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Samir Sumaidaie, will be attending and and participating."
more... Gunner's Military News Blog - from USAFNS:

A little taste of home - Bluffton Today

"Ingenuity, generosity combine to put a smile on troops’ faces.
little dough and even a few anchovies will soon give American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan and a small taste of home.
Throw in some pepperoni and some lucky Marines and soldiers might even find a slice of heaven.
During his second deployment to Iraq in less than a year, Cpl. Brandon Polly posted a message on his Facebook account recently that would send many Bluffton, Sun City and Beaufort moms on a mission.
“I miss pizza,” he wrote.
Like a general, his mom — who just happens to be president of the local Low Country Blue Star Moms — came up with a plan and marshaled her troops."

A little taste of home - Bluffton Today:

More concerts to come after Tunes on Trade

"Another season of Tunes on Trade and Greer Idol has concluded, but that doesn't mean the tradition of Friday night concerts in downtown Greer needs to end."

The Blue Star Mothers of America will serve as volunteer vendors during the ENCORE! music series and will collect donations to provide comfort items and postage for the military.

More concerts to come after Tunes on Trade GreenvilleOnline.com The Greenville News:

Special delivery | Summerville, SC

"Last week, Girl Scouts and members of the tri-county chapter of Blue Star Moms, a non-profit organization comprised of women who have children that currently serve in the military or who have done so in the past, placed the cookies into large packages, each of which held roughly 40 boxes

The partnership between the Girl Scouts of Eastern South Carolina and the tri-county chapter of Blue Star Moms has existed for several years and has been a huge success, said Blue Star Mom Ellen Lewin"

Special delivery Local News Summerville Journal Scene Summerville, SC:

islandpacket.com | Sending love oversees

"When Patricia Lewis-Clark of Bluffton recalls her son’s recent departure for his second tour of duty in Iraq — he left on his 21st birthday — tears start to flow.
Lewis-Clark has found a way to stop those tears. She’s active in the Lowcountry Blue Star Moms Chapter No. 6, a part of the national Blue Star Mothers of America. The group supports active duty military as well as retirees, and is recognized by the Department of Defense."
islandpacket.com Sending love oversees:

Korean War memorial dedicated in Operation Welcome Home launch in Myrtle Beach

"Looking at the Korean Conflict plaque on a granite stone dedicated today in Myrtle Beach's Valor Memorial Garden, Dolores Braginton realized that war began June 25, 1950 -- nine years before her birth date.
The Myrtle Beach resident was among a group of area Blue Star Mothers of America serving cookies and treats for many of the 200 people who turned out for a breezy, but sunlit, ceremony to honor all living and deceased Korean War veterans and announce the kickoff of Operation Welcome Home in Myrtle Beach."
Korean War memorial dedicated in Operation Welcome Home launch in Myrtle Beach - Breaking News - Myrtle Beach Online: