Wreaths for Boscawen ~ 

We want to share with you a great event that is happening in New Hampshire on December 14, 2013. 

Wreaths for NH Veterans Cemetery

We will be laying 1,000 wreaths at the NH Veterans Cemetery

on December 14, 2013 ~ 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.

If you would like to make a donation to help us purchase a 12" Balsam Wreath with a four loop red bow is $6.50, our wreaths are purchased locally and delivered to the NH Veterans Cemetery on December 14th. Download the donation form ~ you may 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 Dec. 14th. To learn
more visit: 

http://www.bluestarmothersofnh.org/WreathsBoscawen.html

Wreaths of Remembrance ~ this Saturday at Hesky Park, Meredith

Wreaths of Remembrance ~ this Saturday at Hesky Park, Meredith

The Blue Star Mothers of NH will be once again holding the Wreaths of Remembrance ceremonies in their communities across the state at their town's War Memorial.

The Blue Star Mothers in the Lakes Region will be holding the Wreaths of Remembrance on December 7, 2013 at 11:00 in front of the POW/MIA Memorial in Hesky Park, Meredith, NH. All are welcome to attend.

The wreath(s) represent our commitment as a United America to remember the fallen. This holiday wreath symbolizes our respect to all Military Personnel, both past and present, and to their families who have endured sacrifices everyday on our behalf. To our children, we want you to understand the freedoms you enjoy today have not been free but have come with a cost that someday, you may have to pay yourself. As a nation standing together, we can defeat terrorism, hatred and injustice. Thanks to our Veterans, we have the freedom to do just that.

This year the Christmas Wreath laying is to raise awareness of POW Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, American POW being held captive in Afghanistan at this time and a way of letting his family know that they do not wait alone. We are asking that you send a Christmas card to Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington DC 2050 and to Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, c/o American Red Cross, 2025 E Street NW, Washington DC 2006. The message should be short and positive..suggestion "Blessings, we wait for your safe return".

Wreaths of Remembrance in Londonderry ~ Blue Star Mothers of NH

Wreath Laying to be Held this Saturday

The members of the New Hampshire Blue Star Mothers will again host a wreath laying ceremony on the Town Common this weekend. The ceremony will be held in memory of those who have given the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom, in honor of those presently servicing in the military and in tribute to U.S. military personnel whose last known status was either Prisoner of War of Missing in Action.

Saturday, December 7, 2013 at 9 AM

This marks the fifth year the Blue Star Mothers have come together for a wreath laying. Past ceremonies have opened with a moment of silence to remember the fallen, a speech on behalf of the mothers, and the laying of the wreath.

History of the Blue Star Mothers

On January 22, 1942 the Flint News Advertiser printed a coupon asking Mothers of serviceman to return the coupon after filling it out. The following February 1st 300 mothers met in the Durant Hotel, in Flint Blue Star Mothers Michigan. Captain George H. Maines, who had conceived the idea for this group, acted as the chair of this first meeting. It was decided that after receiving 1000 responses from the ad to form a permanent organization.

On February 6th the organization was reported on Congressional record. Chapters then formed in Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, New York, Pennsylvania, Oregon, California, Iowa and Washington. In June of 1960 the organization was chartered by congress.

Mothers volunteered throughout the tough times of World War II. They worked in hospitals, train stations, packed care packages for soldiers and were an working part of homeland security during times our time of war. The organization waned in size over the years but has held together by mothers showing pride in both their children and country. In recent times they have began to grow in strength. Being attacked on our own soil has once again started mothers hanging flags in their windows at home proclaiming pride in the fact that we have children protecting our freedom during at time of war.

The organization not only provides support for active duty service personnel, promotes patriotism, assists Veterans organizations, and are available to assist in homeland volunteer efforts to help our country remain strong.

Blue Star Mothers Prayer for 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

Happy 23th Birthday US MARINES

Happy 23th Birthday US MARINES

During the American Revolution, many important political discussion took place in the inns and taverns of Philadelphia, including the founding of the Marine Corps.

A committee of the Continental Congress met at Tun Tavern to draft a resolution calling for two battalions of Marines able to fight for independence at sea and on shore.

The resolution was approved on November 10, 1775, officially forming the Continental Marines.

As the first order of business, Samuel Nicholas became Commandant of the newly formed Marines. Tun Tavern's owner and popular patriot, Robert Mullan, became his first captain and recruiter. They began gathering support and were ready for action by early 1776.

Each year, the Marine Corps marks November 10th with a celebration of the brave spirit which compelled these men and thousands since to defend our country as United States Marines.

SEMPER FI
1775-2012

Veterans Day Poem

Take A Moment To Thank A Veteran

When you see someone in a uniform,
Someone who serves us all,
Doing military duty,
Answering their country’s call,

Take a moment to thank them
For protecting what you hold dear;
Tell them you are proud of them;
Make it very clear.

Just tap them on the shoulder,
Give a smile, and say,
"Thanks for what you’re doing
To keep us safe in the USA!"

By Joanna Fuchs

Gold Star Mothers Day Observed ~ September 29, 2013

 Gold Star Mothers Day Observed ~ September 29, 2013

The United States began observing Gold Star Mothers Day on the last Sunday of September in 1936. It is a day for people to recognize and honor those who have lost a son or daughter while serving the United States Armed Forces.

Mothers of fallen service members began calling themselves "Gold Star Mothers" during the First World War, but the sorrowful bond they share reaches back to every woman who has lost a son or daughter in uniform since our nation's revolution.

In 1918 President Woodrow Wilson approved the wearing of black armbands bearing a gold star by those who had a family member who died in the military service to the United States. This distinguished them from the blue stars, representing a family member presently serving in the armed forces.

During World War I, families would hang flags in their windows that were white with red borders, inside, a blue star would represent each family member who was serving in the military. The name the Gold Star Mothers was derived from the custom of military families who when a service member was killed, the blue star was changed to a gold star.

Eleven years after the end of World War I, the United States Congress took an unprecedented step in the history of warfare, giving unusual recognition to the mothers of those killed in that war.

American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. was incorporated in 1929, obtaining a federal charter from the US Congress. It began with 25 mothers living in the Washington DC area and soon expanded to include affiliated groups throughout the nation. On June 23, 1936, a joint congressional resolution designated the last Sunday in September as Gold Star Mother's Day, a holiday that has been observed each year by a presidential proclamation.

Gold Star Mother Memorial
Manchester, NH

In 1947, the Gold Star Lapel pin was designed and created to be presented to eligible surviving family members of service members who died while deployed in support of overseas contingency operations, or who died from wounds sustained in theater. A gold star symbolizes a family member who died in the line of duty while serving the United States Armed Forces.  It may be seen on a service flag or in the form of a pin, which is worn by Gold Star mothers. The pin is not limited to mothers and it is awarded by the US Department of Defense.

In the words of President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1944:

"There is nothing adequate which anyone in any place can say to those who are entitled to display the gold star in their windows America lives in freedom because of the sacrifices of America's finest citizens and of the mothers who raised them.."