![]() ![]() Anyone interested or looking for more information can contact chapter president Mary Reitsma are much more inclusive than a group of moms," Reitsma said. One of the local group's associate members is from South Dakota. They also don't have to live near Willmar. Only mothers who have children serving or have served can be voting members, but other family members can join as associate members. The local Blue Star Mothers chapter is always looking for new members. "This is my support system, so I keep coming," Clark said. It will take getting used to for everyone not to have him home for holidays or on the weekends.įor Clark, whose son died nearly 13 years ago, Blue Star Mothers still offers her much needed comfort and understanding. While Gary's son isn't in a dangerous war zone, just having him gone and out of reach is hard. "We'll help you hang on, we are right there with you," Jakes said.Īs a new military mom, Gary appreciates having the support of other moms who have been where she is. The moms are also able to tell stories about their children's experiences - and their own as a military mom. The current group members have children who have retired from the Army and those serving in the Marines, Navy, Air Force and Minnesota National Guard. ![]() "Just keep listening, that is what they need."Īt their monthly meetings at Vinje Lutheran Church in Willmar, the group starts by introducing themselves and sharing about their military children. It is a foreign language when your kid joins the military, you don't know what all that means," Skaro said. "It is really nice to have someone who knows the language. Just knowing you can have someone to call at all hours of the day or night can be a great comfort. It is a group where they can find someone to talk to, who understands what they are going through with their children far from home. It is also an important support group for the mothers themselves. 15, which is a fundraiser for the New London-Spicer Educational Foundation for scholarships, including one named in Ryane Clark's honor.īlue Star Mothers isn't just a group that sends out care packages and rides on floats in parades. Then the second annual Fallen Heroes football game will be on Sept. 9 at the American Legion post in New London. The Ryane Clark Memorial Scholarship Foundation event will be held Sept. The group supports member Tracy Clark, who is a Gold Star mother, with her annual scholarship fundraiser in honor of her son, "I think it is important to do," member Elaine Hulstrand said.īlue Star Mothers additionally work with other organizations, events and families who similarly support the military in various ways. Cords will be given to seniors at New London-Spicer and MACCRAY as well. This year, Willmar Public Schools has already requested 12 cords for seniors who have enlisted. They have provided red, white and blue honor cords to high school graduates who have enlisted into the military for some time, and hope to grow the program in the future. The MN 1 chapter also celebrates and commemorates the next generation of soldiers, airmen, marines and sailors. It was the early days of World War II, and the group was formed as way to bring together, and use, one of the strongest groups on the home front to assist with the war effort. Organization was formed in 1942 in Flint, Michigan. Those are our three main purposes and they have not changed." and then our third is to promote patriotism. "Our second purpose is to honor gold star families. Our first purpose is to support each other and our children," said Sharon Skaro, one of two founding members of MN 1 still involved with the group. , based in Willmar, has been providing a way for mothers with service member children to come together from across western Minnesota. ![]() , as both active duty and reserve military personnel were being deployed to a dangerous combat zone, a group of dedicated women formed the first official chapter of Blue Star Mothers of America in Minnesota.
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