Honoring Veterans throught the Blue Star Memorial

FRONT ROYAL, VA - In honor of the veterans that served in the armed forces during World War II, a Blue Star Marker was placed on the campus of Randolph-Macon Academy.

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Blue Star Mothers of Northern Virginia

A super big THANK YOU to the Martins Chase HOA in Ashburn, VA. This wonderful community has chosen our organization to be the beneficiary of their efforts to promote helping the military. Good luck with the race and thank you for supporting our guys and gals in uniform. *********** We want to thank Wegman's Grocery Store of Fairfax. They have generously donated a gift card for the Blue Star Mothers of Northern Virginia to use to send goodies to the troops. We ask all viewers to consider a trip to Wegman's, a supporter of the men and women in uniform. THANK YOU WEGMAN'S.

Still in the Fight Video

A special spot for the wounded

By RUSTY DENNEN
Patrons pulling into the parking lot at Jimmy the Greek Family Restaurant  are probably wondering about the new sign marking a special parking spot.
Erected two weeks ago, the sign at the business along Garrisonville Road in Stafford County reads: “Reserved. Combat Wounded.” In the center of the placard is an image of the Purple Heart medal established by George Washington to honor those injured in battle.

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Girl Scouts Send 1,000 Boxes of Cookies to Overseas Troops

A family of military moms and wives, who send care packages off to troops in Afghanistan on a regular basis, got some help from area girl scouts and their cookies Thursday night.

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NOVA - Northern Virginia

NOVA Blue Star Mothers next meeting date Jan 15th

Alternative Gift Fair to Benefit Local Groups

More than 20 area nonprofit organizations will have booths at the Gifts That Give Hope Alternative Gift Fair to be held Saturday, Dec. 3, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Truro Church, 10520 Main Street, Fairfax. The public is invited and admission is free.

Organizations that will be exhibiting include A Child's Joy, Blue Star Mothers, Computer CORE, Esfuerzo de Amor, Empowered Women International, Flashes of Hope, Food for Others, Friends of Guest House, Giving Circle of HOPE, Greenbrier Learning Center, Helping Hungry Kids, Just Neem, Just Neighbors, KEEN, Land of a Thousand Hills Coffee, Manassas Midwifery, NOVACO, Packaged With Care, Partner for Surgery, Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN), and Thai Totes. Fair trade gift items will also be available for purchase.

Host of the alternative gift fair is the Giving Circle of HOPE of Reston, which gives annual grants to nonprofits that help people in need in Northern Virginia and conducts a variety of ongoing service programs.

For more information, see www.giftsthatgivehope.org. Online ordering will be available on the website beginning Nov. 28.

Army Mom Strong

"Are you the Mom of a son or daughter who is serving, or has been honorably discharged from the Armed Forces of the United States? If so, you are probably experiencing emotions that you have not felt before. Finding the daily strength to cope with your son or daughter’s deployment can be daunting. No one really understands what you are going through except for other Military Moms"

Blue Star Mothers Support Moms with Children Serving in the Military : Army Mom Strong:

'We have our own Santa Claus' A family's encounter with 'Christmas spirit'

"Mallie Murray, who serves as the Wounded Warrior and Fisher House Committee Chair for the Richmond Chapter of the Blue Star Mothers of America, is impressed that just one man - with a heart full of love and a vision for bringing joy to children - could accomplish so much for so many.
'I have been to his warehouse on two occasions and it's the eyes, it's the eyes, baby. When those children see all the presents, it's a blessing from God! And I'm sure it transforms the child,' Murray said"'

More... We have our own Santa Claus' A family's encounter with 'Christmas spirit' - News - Progress-Index:

National Ceremonies at Arlington

National President Wendy Hoffman prepares to present Blue Star Mothers of America Wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown, Arlington on November 11th, 2009. Photo by Brad Waldron, (NOVA Blue Star Mothers) VA

Group gathers messages for military

A Central Virginia organization that supports families of service members is gathering messages and care packages to send overseas.




The Blue Star Families of Central Virginia, which includes participants from throughout the area, will collect messages to send to the troops at the Nelson Memorial Library, an effort that began Monday and will conclude Nov. 8.



The care packages are a hit with the troops, said chapter President Jacqui Cecalupo, who teaches gifted students in the Albemarle County public schools.

One of her sons, John, is an Army major who taught at Virginia Military Institute and is serving a second tour of duty in Iraq. Her other son, Michael, is an Army captain who served in Iraq and Afghanistan and now is transitioning out of the military.


The chapter is unique in that it is an affiliate of the Blue Star Moms, mirrors that mission and includes male family members.

“Our intent was to include the husband and wife” of service members, Cecalupo said.


The chapter was formed in 2003 and approximately 80 families are participating.

Honoring vets in the land of the free because of the brave

"Following the parade, Dorfman was on hand as Post 364 hosted a Blue Star Banner Salute to America’s heroes, where other wounded warriors and Blue Star families were special guests.
“I received a warm welcome that was one of the most humbling experiences of my life,” he said. “American Legion Post 364 had an excellent ceremony after the parade to honor wounded vets and Blue Star Mothers.”
Blue Star Mothers are mothers who have a son or daughter serving in the armed forces. The event also recognized Gold Star Mothers who have lost a loved one serving in the armed forces."

n.b. Northern Virginia Blue Star Mothers is a newly chartered chapter

Honoring vets in the land of the free because of the brave InsideNova.com:

Shipping out from the hometown

"The Richmond, Virginia Council Navy League of the United States care package project that got bigger through the efforts of Amy Conzalino at local CVS stores (“Inspiration at the check-out counter”), got another boost July 7 as the league developed a partnership with Blue Star Families of Richmond and Blue Star Families of Central Virginia. Rather than supplying items, however, this partnership will help distribute the items collected.

The Navy League sent letters contacting both the Charlottesville-based Central Virginia chapter and the Richmond-based chapter of the Blue Star Families organization. The letters led to a meeting between the three groups at the Navy League offices in Richmond.
“Understandably, [the Blue Star Families groups] wanted to check us out and make sure we’re legitimate,” Gibbons explained.
As Blue Star Families of Richmond President Rebecca Hickman and Blue Star Families of Central Virginia President Jacqui Cecalupo and Vice President Kathy Warren toured the offices of the Navy League, the three groups found an instant bond over the care packages and shipping. All members present rattled off prices based on package sizes instantly and shared stories of difficult and touching shipment expeditions.

The Blue Star Families organizations are chapters of Blue Star Mothers of America, which is a non-profit organization that also supports current and formerly deployed members of all branches of the military. It serves as both a support network for families and friends of those serving and as a service organization working to improve the lives of returning military members and deployed troops.
“Balancing those functions has been a challenge for us,” Hickman said. “We are there for those 11 p.m. phone calls, but we also have members who just want to help.”"

Midlothian Exchange - News: Shipping out from the hometown:

Military families unite at Goochland picnic

"Grilling hot dogs and hamburgers over open flames is a rite of summer. But for about 70 people, a cookout yesterday in Goochland County was about more than good food and fellowship.
Members of the Blue Star Families of Richmond gathered at Benedictine Abbey on River Road for the group's annual picnic -- just one way they provide support for families of active-duty military personnel.
The gathering drew families from all over the Richmond area and included two mothers whose sons died while serving on active duty.
'We have different interests, but we have one really important common interest -- to support the military, and, specifically, our sons and daughters who are serving,' said Retsy Kitchen of Richmond, whose oldest son is serving in Afghanistan.
Miniature American flags lined the path leading to a covered pavilion adjacent to Bobby Ross Stadium at Benedictine Abbey. Many of those in attendance were wearing red, white and blue clothing, while children waved American flags."

Military families unite at Goochland picnic Richmond Times-Dispatch:

Church banner honors veterans | newsleader.com | The News Leader

"STAUNTON — Of the 63 men and women from Bethel Presbyterian Church who left during World War II to assist overseas, two sat on either side of the church on Sunday.

Charles Beard and David Turner were surrounded by their friends and family during the morning service, but they were also surrounded in a different way, by the 61 others who had gone to war with them.

At the front of the church, a faded silk banner trimmed in red had 63 blue stars stitched to it in neat rows against a white background. Two of those stars were for Beard and Turner; the others for the rest of the members of Bethel who had all managed to return home safely from World War II.

The banner, a Blue Star Flag stitched together at the start of the war and hung in the church from 1941 to 1945 to remember those who had left, was discovered in the Church's storage room with no clue as to who carefully stitched each star."

Church banner honors veterans | newsleader.com | The News Leader:

Supporting troops from a military mother's perspective -- dailypress.com

"In November, Patti Correa's military world flipped upside down.

After 22 years in the Army, her husband, Sgt. 1st Class Ed Correa, hung up his uniform and retired.

That alone was a lot to swallow, she said. Soldiers spend their careers completely immersed in the military culture, part of something they believe is greater than themselves and swearing to do whatever dangerous mission that's ordered."

More...Supporting troops from a military mother's perspective -- dailypress.com:

Balad Hospital Blanketed by Blankets

"Balad Hospital Blanketed by Blankets
Richmond Times - Dispatch January 29, 2008
Chesterfield County, Virginia's blizzard of blankets has packed closets in Iraq.
'I have had such a huge response.... I am becoming a bit overwhelmed with blankets,' said Air Force Capt. Taylor Adams in an e-mail home.
Unless they have already bought blankets, Adams is asking stateside donors to hold off sending more 'until I find a home for the 1,200+ blankets I have on the way!!'"

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