Missing Man Table and Flag Dedication Ceremony

Please RSVP: kristin.pressly@va.gov

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.

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!"

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!!!

Wreaths for Boscawen

Wreaths for Boscawen ~ 
We want to share with you a great event that is happening in New Hampshire on December 17, 2016

Wreaths for NH Veterans Cemetery

We will be laying 1,200 wreaths at the NH Veterans Cemetery

on December 17, 2016 ~ Starting at 10:30am

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 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 17th. To learn more visit: Blue Star Mothers of NH ~ Wreaths for Boscawen .

Seacoast Salutes The Troops

Seacoast Salutes

7/24/2016 11:00 am - 7/24/2016 4:00 pm

1 Redhook Way Pease International Tradeport
Portsmouth, NH 03801

Free for actively serving, $10 for veterans, $15 general admission

Service Credit Union and Redhook Brewery will host Seacoast Salutes, a one day event to honor the sacrifices of our active duty military personnel and their families.  As a fundraiser for the Chaplains Emergency Relief Fund 100% of donations raised at this year's event will help military personnel and families in crisis.  Admission gets you 1 free beer, unlimited food, and we’ll have music and games going all day. Website: www.seacoastsalute.com

Seacoast Salutes The Troops

Seacoast Salutes

7/24/2016 11:00 am - 7/24/2016 4:00 pm

1 Redhook Way Pease International Tradeport
Portsmouth, NH 03801

Free for actively serving, $10 for veterans, $15 general admission

Service Credit Union and Redhook Brewery will host Seacoast Salutes, a one day event to honor the sacrifices of our active duty military personnel and their families.  As a fundraiser for the Chaplains Emergency Relief Fund 100% of donations raised at this year's event will help military personnel and families in crisis.  Admission gets you 1 free beer, unlimited food, and we’ll have music and games going all day. Website: www.seacoastsalute.com

Shoes and Sneakers for Liberty House

Hello Kathy and gang,

Our customers at Blue Seal in Derry, NH have collected over 250 shoes for the Liberty house this past month. Our goal was for 300 so we have a little ways to go. We have a box at our store, people can use our drive thru to have us unload the shoes or back packs that they donate for the Liberty House. You don’t even have to get out of your car if you don’t want to:)

Our animal Vet  is also a drop off spot . The Deerfield Vet Office of Dr Simon George on 150 South Rd in Deerfield NH, there is a huge box inside.

The front office on the left side. If you stop in to drop off please thank them, they also have been a huge hit with collecting clothes and the previous Winter helping us collect over 100 sleeping bags for the homeless veterans. Dr Georges wife Jenny is amazing sending out info on what we are collecting via Facebook and using her office to benefit our needs.

Hope everyone is well,

Kerry Rodgers