Northeast POW/MIA Freedom Ride

Faith and Trust ..... 

We must never Forget

Save The Date!

Northeast POW/MIA Network Freedom Ride ~ June 13, 2019

26th Anniversary of the Freedom Ride 
31st Anniversary of the Vigil 

Hesky Park "The Rock" Meredith, NH 

”Ride to the Rock”

POW/MIA Vigil..Freedom Ride..'Together Always 

Freedom Ride line up at Lowe's Gilford by 5:45 pm, bikes leaving
 for Meredith at 6:00 pm to arrive for 7 pm.

For speaker list and additional information click on the link below

https://www.northeastpowmianetwork.org/FreedomRide.html

Happy Birthday Blue Star Mothers

Happy 77th anniversary to our BSMA sisters!! Remember our mission of helping our Troops and Veterans, coming along side the families of our Fallen and to support each other! #bluestarmothersofamerica

Following the attacks on Pearl Harbor, there was a conversation between two men, retired Army Captain George Maines and General John Pershing. The concerns were the morale of the mothers of military personnel and the direct effect it might have on the Troops. On January 21st, 1942 the idea of a new patriotic organization was organized. The information was published on the front page of the Flint News Advertiser on Jan. 22nd. It asked military mothers to fill out a coupon and return it to receive a blue star to place in their windows. The response was so large that a meeting was called.

This meeting was on February 1, 1942. This was eight weeks after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Just eight weeks after the death of Flint son, Jack Pitcher who was aboard the battle ship USS West Virginia. It was then that 358 mothers gathered at the Durant Hotel. Captain Maines shared the vision and after a few minutes of silent contemplation, Mrs. Adda Harris stood and challenged the mothers who sat there in silence. She asked that they give Captain Maines a vote of confidence. There was an overwhelming vote of support to start this new organization known as Blue Star Mothers of America. The rest is history!

Happy 77th. anniversary to our BSMA sisters!! Remember our mission of helping our Troops and Veterans, coming along side the families of our Fallen and to support each other!

Wreaths for Boscawen

We want to share with you a great event that is happening in New Hampshire on December 15, 2018

We will be laying 2,100 wreaths at the NH Veterans Cemetery, on December 15, 2018 ~ Starting at 10:30 am.  We laying the wreaths a bit differently then in years past...hopefully your questions can be answered on our FAQ page.

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" Ring/22" Face Balsam Wreath with a four loop red bow. Our wreaths are purchased locally and delivered to the NH Veterans Cemetery on December 17th. Download the 2018 Donation Form where you can make your donation in Honor of or in Memory of someone that will be entered on our Tribute page or you make your donation thru our PayPal account.

Join us for the Wreaths for Boscawen on December 15th.

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

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!!!

Blue Star Mothers of New Hampshire

100 Nights of Remembrance Closing Ceremony

Since 2005 to the present, members of 100 Nights of Remembrance sound taps at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen, NH and The Mount Calvary Cemetery in Manchester, NH every evening rain or shine at 7:00 PM from Memorial Day through September 11^th. After the 100 consecutive nights closing ceremonies, taps is then sounded once a week on Sunday afternoons at 1:00 PM Rain, shine or even snow until the opening ceremony each Memorial Day.  100 Nights of Remembrance is dedicated to honoring and paying the highest respect to those who have served in our Armed Forces and all our fallen heroes. The public is welcome to attend these solemn ceremonies.  “So We May Never Forget”    

Learn how you can help   

    If you have any additional questions or would like to sponsor 100 Nights of Remembrance, please email noeltylr@gmail.com   

 

2018 Closing Ceremony  - Sunday, September 9 th

 

 2018 Closing Ceremony Information

 Sunday September 9th

 

Summary:  The 100 Nights of Remembrance proudly invites all our friends to join us as celebrate our 13th Anniversary of soundings Taps at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery. We also invite all New Hampshire Military Units, (NHNG, US Marines, US Coast Guard.  All Catholic War Veterans, American Legion, VFW and others..  We also have invited Fire Depts. and Police Depts. And their Honor Guards from across the State. 

Who:  Any Cadet, Scout Troop, horn player, Fire or Police Department Honor Guard or Military Honor Guard.    

Date:  Sunday, September 9, 2018   

Place:  New Hampshire Veterans Cemetery     

            110 Daniel Webster Hwy, Boscawen, NH 03303      

Tentative Schedule:  

Time: 3:30 - 4:30:  All Brass Players report in at the Maintenance Building   

4:30 - 5:30:  Brass Players warm-up and run through  

4:30 - 5:00:   All Honor Guard Units send on representative and report in at the Maintenance Building  

5:30:  Line up - All units report to the staging area at Section III   

6:00: Ceremony Starts        

 For anyone interested or for any questions, please email Noel Taylor, director of 100 Nights of Remembrance at noeltylr@gmail.com  

http://www.100nightsofremembrance.org/

 

NH Blue Star Mother's Day

Happy New Hampshire Blue Star Mother's Day (First Sunday after Mother's Day)

In honor of our New Hampshire Blue Star Mothers, this day is dedicated to you.... Thank you for your service and sacrifice.

Many people still ask what are the Blue Star Mothers of New Hampshire? Blue Star Mothers of New Hampshire is an organization dedicated to supporting the mothers of service members. We support each other and educate people on how to support families affected by military service.

I say Thank You to these moms, who raised their babies into adults, are now telling their daughters and sons to be safe. Blue Star mothers sit and wait for phone calls. These moms worry, pray, watch the news and send care packages. These moms hope their children come home, too.

I want to wish our Blue Star moms a Happy Blue Star Mother's Day. Believe it or not, your service and sacrifice do not go unnoticed. Thank you for being unselfish and for supporting the decisions your child has made. It could not have been easy for you to watch a daughter or son join the military. This grateful nation appreciates you.

I hope more and more people realize the effect the military has on a family. It is not just a spouse and children who are affected. It is an entire family. Parents, in-laws, brothers, sisters, cousins, all members of the family feel the vacancy a service member leaves when they are gone.

For our Blue Star moms, you are my hero. It is also my hope that you never forget that you are so important. It is because of your love, support and encouragement that our nation sleeps well.

To you all New Hampshire thanks you with this special day:

The governor shall annually issue a proclamation calling for a proper observance of the first Sunday after Mother’s Day which shall be known as 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. The governor shall urge the citizens of this state to observe this day with appropriate events.

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

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. 

New Hampshire Blue Star Mother's Day

New Hampshire Blue Star Mother’s Day. (May 15, 2016)

This Sunday, May 15th, 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!"

Operation Care for Troops Spring Event

May 2016 “Memorial Day” Packing Event Scheduled!

Operation Care for Troops will be holding its “Memorial Day” shipping event May 19, 20 and 21st.  If you would like to volunteer please sign up at volunteer@octnh.org.

This event’s theme is “Remembering those serving” by sending a reminder of “home” to them!

Please include the names of each person attending the event and the date or dates that they will be attending.

Hope to see you there!

The Operation Care for Troops Team

Operation Care for Troops

If you would like to add your service members name to our list please follow the guidelines below:

Beginning the shipping paperwork - If you, your unit, a family member, or friend is deployed, Please send your APO/FPO address to us with the number of troops in the unit.

Please don't post public but message FB or e-mail Ted Luszey, President, ted@octnh.org

Operation Care for Troops

MENTAL ARMOR. RESILIENT FAMILIES TRAINING

SAVE THE DATE! 

The NHNG Family Program cordially invites you and your family to attend our Day of Training event: 
MENTAL ARMOR. RESILIENT FAMILIES. 
Saturday, 30 May 2015 
Marriott-Grappone Conference Center, 70 Constitution Avenue, Concord, NH. 
We are thrilled to have Ottis West & Chris Poe from 'TechWerks' lead us through an informative and thought-provoking day of Resilience training. 
This event is open to ALL Service Members and their Family members, all branches, all ranks, EVERYONE! 
There will be vendors and resource tables from all over the state representing various programs that support military members and their families. Did I mention FREE STUFF!? We are here to support you! Don't miss out on this awesome opportunity! 
This event kicks off at 0800 and concludes at 1600. Lunch will be 'on your own.' 
We request that all attendees please register for this event via Joint Services Support (JSS) https://www.jointservicessupport.org/Info/61M902 
We respectfully suggest business casual attire for all attendees- no uniforms please. 
More information can be found by visiting the registration link. There is no cost for this event. 
Unfortunately, Child Care will not be provided. 
We look forward to seeing you there! 
Warm Regards, 
NHNG Family Program Staff 
Please reply to: jeremy.d.hutchinson.ctr@mail.mil for all correspondence related to this email 
https://www.jointservicessupport.org/Info/61M902 
Please reply to: jeremy.d.hutchinson.ctr@mail.mil for all correspondence related to this email