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Tuesday, November 21, 2017

Prayer of Thanksgiving

Today we bow our heads to give thanks

Thanks to our Creator whose wisdom and strength is infinite.
Thanks to the winds, for cleansing tired and weary souls,
Thanks to the waters for life sustaining.
Thanks to the Mother Earth as we lay her weary head to rest for
another season.
Thanks to the Father Sun for warming our souls on the long cold days.
Thanks to the fires that life is reborn anew.

Yes Creator today we give thanks for all of your little miracles
we take so much for granted each day.

I thank you Creator for my warrior son,
Whose proud stance and carriage has
Carried him through many dark days,
And even darker nights.
He knows the Warriors Creed and
Knows the life he lives was chosen
Long ago for him.

I thank you Creator for the many hands
Each one holding a star blue or gold, to be enfolded
In this blanket not yet made
Each star is a prayer yet unanswered
They that share the knitting of a new blanket
In life they are the ones keeping the home fires lit

They are -
The mothers who stand beside, their child
Who are so far away, but so very near
The wives who stand beside their husbands
Who are so far away but so very near
The daughters who stand beside their
Mothers and grandmothers waiting for mommy or daddy to come home.
The husbands and fathers who stand waiting for their loved one
To come home. 

Creator this day we give thanks
For prayers not yet answered.
Keep all of our family near and far strong –
know in our weakest moments
we are the strongest, know in the darkest moments
we are the light to guide them home.

Yes Creator this is a day of thanks
For all that has come before
And all that will come after.
Each little moment we give thanks
To you.

Keep our warriors strong,
Keep our warriors safe
Until all our hands and voices
Once again join together
Singing praise of Thanksgiving

Lynn VanCoonis 2007
Proud NH Blue Star Mother

The Heroes Christmas Tree

The Heroes Christmas Tree


The Blue Star Mothers of NH are once again hosting Heroes Christmas Trees around the state. What started as one tree here in Laconia in 2006 has grown to well over 25 trees all over the state.

Stars of gold, black, and blue adorn the trees bearing the names of United States service members past and present.  Blank stars are available for those who would like to add the name of someone currently serving or a past veteran to the tree.

For more information where Heroes Christmas Trees are being hosted, check our website:
www.bluestarmothersofnh.org.

May God bless our sons and daughters this holiday season, those who are now serving and our veterans, our Blue Stars; they stand for hope and pride.

May God bless those we will hold forever in our hearts, our Gold Stars, for their sacrifice to the cause of liberty and freedom.

May God bless those for whom we are still waiting for their return.

Black Stars; they represent our POW/MIA’s. (63 WWII and Korean POW’s who died in captivity, 6 Vietnam POW’s,).

Gold Stars: Our fallen

Blue Stars: Currently serving or Veterans


Blue Star Mothers of NH
bluestarmothersofnh@gmail.com

Monday, November 6, 2017

An Open Letter To Our Veterans


Since we became an independent country many years have come and gone, however, there is one constant that remains from the 1700’s through today. Our country has had many brave men and women volunteer to defend our country.

There was a movie produced about World War II, whose name I cannot recall, but at the end there is a line which rings true (even though the words are not an exact quote), “Where do we get these brave men and women to always step forward when the need arises?” These men and women come from all over our country and too many times are taken for granted. Men and women, who during times of war and peace, are on-call 24 hours a day 7 days a week and spend countless holidays, birthdays and special events away from their family and friends.

The pay is not great, but they continue to volunteer and many make it a career. They are mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, cousins and friends. We may not always agree in the wars and battles that we fight, but this should not deter us from the support we give to these men and women in uniform. It is through the sacrifice that they and the numerous individuals before them have made, which provides us with the freedoms we have to disagree and speak our objections. 

While words cannot pay what we owe you and your families, we ‘thank you’ for your sacrifice. To the families who have lost loved ones, we offer our most heartfelt condolences. Many of us have never endured the pain you must feel, but our hearts hurt for your loss and wish we could help ease your pain. Let us never forget the people who did not make it home. 

Remember those still serving in our prayers and never take for granted the sacrifices they make. In closing, one more time I would like to say…… THANK YOU!!!


Wednesday, October 25, 2017

Wreaths for Boscawen at the NH Veterans Cemetery

Wreaths for Boscawen ~ 

We want to share with you a great event that is happening in New Hampshire on December 16, 2017



We will be laying 1,800 wreaths at the NH Veterans Cemetery, on December 16, 2017 ~ Starting at 10:30 am. 


This is an idea that started with a Gold Star Family in 2007 and was inspired by the wreaths placed at Arlington National Cemetery (Worcester Wreath Company) the Blue Star Mothers decided we needed to answer this Christmas wish.

Your donation of $7.00 will help us purchase the 12" Balsam Wreaths with a four loop red bow. Our wreaths are purchased locally and delivered to the NH Veterans Cemetery on December 17th. Download the 2017 Donation Form where you can make your donation in Honor of or in Memory of someone that will be entered on our Tribute page.
Join us for the Wreaths for Boscawen on December 16th.

 To learn more visit: Blue Star Mothers of NH ~ Wreaths for Boscawen
 .


Thursday, May 25, 2017

Memorial Day Prayer

We stand for them.......The young and the brave......Now that day is done.

We stand for them with honor, with pride, with broken hearts and empty arms......

Memorial Day.

Our heroes have gone on before us - too young to go - but too brave to stay. Our hearts were set on our lives together, an eternity of days, a future of tomorrows...... yet, day is done.

We draw together in prayer.

May we give thanks to the Almighty that we have such a land of blessing and hope to live in. A land provided and sustained by the brave of our nation. Those who have stepped forth to right wrongs and secure liberties. Those, our heroes, who have gone before us.

May we remember and pray for their families ~ seeking their comfort, their healing, their strength. May we beseech God that they may live in peace, the peace brought forth to our nation by the sacrifice of their hero.

And may we pray for one another. May we never forget what our heroes have given. May we hold our standards high and bringing their honor forth.

Those, too young to go - but too brave to stay......

Now day is done.....

WE STAND FOR THEM!

Peace and Prayers,

May your Memorial Day be One of Blessing, Safety, and Honor,

Rev. Lin McGee
National Chaplain
Star Mothers of America, Inc.




Tuesday, May 16, 2017

New Hampshire Blue Star Mother’s Day.

New Hampshire Blue Star Mother’s Day. (May 21, 2017)
This Sunday, May 21st, the governor shall issue a proclamation calling for a proper observance of the first Sunday after Mother’s Day which shall be known as New Hampshire Blue Star Mother’s Day recognizing and honoring all mothers who now have, or have had, children honorably serving in the United States Armed Forces.
Since WWI mothers have hung "Blue Star Flags" in their windows while their children served in the armed forces especially during conflicts or wars. To be a Blue Mother or Father is an Honor only your child can give to you. The Blue Star stands for hope and pride.
Becoming a military parent continues the life long journey ... of hope and pride. As when your child was born, you were filled with that hope and pride as well as excitement, anxiety, fear and great joy. As you step into the walk of being a military parent that journey continues and once again life changes. You find yourself noticing even more the patriotic symbols all around you, flying your United States flag with a different kind of pride. Thus "Supporting Our Troops" in a way you have probably never before.
Life changes, as your child will hold him or herself to a higher standard, you too will find it changes your life. Forever supporting your child in a different way with even more hope and pride for serving our country to keep our land free.
May you and your child be blessed while this journey of life unfolds! Remember: "To be a Blue Star Mother or Father is an Honor only your child can give to you!"


Armed Forces Day Prayer

Armed Forces Day Prayer

SPECIAL PRAYERS -- Armed Forces Day Each year, we in America set aside the third Saturday in May to honor our Nation's Armed Forces. . . . . . .

ARMY -- I am an American Soldier. I am a Warrior and a member of a team. 'First to fight for the right, And to build the Nation's might, And the Army goes rolling along......'

MARINES -- Before God I swear this creed. My rifle and I are the defenders of my country. We are the masters of our enemy. 'From the Halls of Montezuma, To the shores of Tripoli, We fight our country's battles, In the air, on land, and sea.......'

NAVY -- I am a United States Sailor. I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America and I will obey the orders of those appointed over me. 'Anchors Aweigh, my boys, Anchors Aweigh, Farewell to college joys , We sail at break of day, 'ay 'ay 'ay .......'

AIR FORCE -- I am an American Airman. I am a Warrior. I have answered my nation's call. 'Off we go into the wild blue yonder, Climbing high into the sun; Here they come zooming to meet our thunder, At 'em boys, Give 'er the gun........'

COAST GUARD -- I am proud to be a United States Coast Guardsman. I revere that long line of expert seamen who by their devotion to duty and sacrifice of self have made it possible for me to be a member of a service honored and respected, in peace and in war, throughout the world. 'We're always ready for the call, We place our trust in Thee. Through surf and storm and howling gale, High shall our purpose be........'

As the mothers, fathers, family, and friends of this proud and outstanding fighting force, what better way to honor our heroes than through prayer to the Almighty? May we stand together this Saturday, May 18, 2013, as the enduring force of strength behind our military men and women ~ lifting our voices in prayer ~ giving faithful word to the Almighty for their protection, thanksgiving for their well being, petition for their wisdom, and appreciation for their service. God Bless the Men and Women of Our Armed Forces!!!

Prayers,

Rev. Lin McGee
National Chaplain Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc. 

Tuesday, May 9, 2017

Military Mothers ~ A Mother's Day Tribute

This Sunday, moms across the country will be treated to breakfast in bed, homemade cards, bouquets of flowers and fancy dinners in restaurants. But for those who have sons and daughters fighting wars overseas, Mother’s Day won’t be all roses.

The term "Military Mothers" describes two distinct groups of women. On the one hand, it describes mothers whose sons and daughters are members of the military. On the other, it describes mothers who are themselves members of the military.

Though many military mothers have grown used to their children’s absences on Mother’s Day and other special occasions, it doesn’t make those times any easier especially for moms whose sons and daughters are in the line of fire in Iraq or Afghanistan.

Mothers whose children are in the military and deployed to military bases around the world or serving in a war zone far from home, live with daily fear and worry for the lives of those to whom they gave birth, and nurtured into the fine young men and women they are. They worry that those children may return home with missing limbs or with PTSD, and may not be the same person who deployed, or that they may return in a flag-draped casket.

And mothers, who must leave their children behind to go to a war zone far from home, live with daily fear for their own lives because they worry about the possibility that their children may have to grow up without a mother. And they worry about the impact their absence will have on little psyches, and whether that impact will be lasting.

We assure you, both groups are heroes.


And we'd like to wish them, and all the other mothers out there, a Happy Mother's Day!