Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc. (BSMA), is a private nonprofit organization in the United States that provides support to mothers with sons or daughters in active service in the US Armed Forces. Originally formed during World War II. The name comes from a family custom of warriors hanging banners called the Service Flag on their windows. Flag Service has a star for every family member in the military. Living soldiers are represented by Blue Star and those who have lost their lives are represented by the Golden Star. Until 2011, membership in the Blue Star Mothers is open to any woman living in America who has a son or daughter (and in some cases, but not all cases, stepchildren) in the United States Armed Forces, or who has had a son or daughter in US Armed Forces who have been dismissed with respect.
At the National Convention held in August 2010 in Grand Junction, Colorado under the leadership of National President Wendy Hoffman, a resolution was passed that will forever change the eligibility of membership. The resolution was taken for the congress in August 2011 and signed into law December 13, 2011. This expanded membership opportunities for more women who have supported service members in new conflicts and different family structures.
This Act renews the Blue Star Congressional Congress for: Including grandmother, adopted mother, adoptive mother, and legal guardian of women; expand membership for mothers whose children have just served, by removing references to specific conflicts; and extend membership to qualified mothers living outside the US.
The group holds the congressional charter under Title 36 of the United States Code.
Video Blue Star Mothers of America
Pendirian Blue Star Mothers
Army Captain George Maines has an idea for the Blue Star Mothers. He published a newspaper article in Flint, Michigan, in January 1942, requesting information about children serving in the armed forces. More than 1,000 mothers answered. On February 1, 1942, their first meeting was held and more than 600 mothers hosted Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc. The meeting was reported in the Flint Journal on February 2, 1942.
In the same year, chapters quickly formed in Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, Oregon, Iowa, Washington, California, Pennsylvania, and New York.
The blue star flag was designed and patented by World War I Captain Robert Queissner of the 5th Ohio Infantry, who has two sons serving on the front. This flag quickly becomes an unofficial symbol of a child in service.
The initial goal of the Blue Star Mothers is to bring their sons home, to make sure they receive the benefits they deserve, help service member families, help each other and be there if anything happens. Over the years, goals have been extended to rehabilitation, hospital work, child welfare and civil defense.
Nick's biggest Blue Star Mothers family and Anna Matthees of the rural Goddhue, Minnesota who sent 7 sons (3 Army, 2 Navy and 2 Air Force) to serve during World War II. All 7 survived.
Maps Blue Star Mothers of America
Blue Star Mothers today
Prior to December 2011, membership in the Blue Star Mothers was open to any woman in America whose child was in the United States Armed Forces or who had served in the United States Armed Forces or had honorable dismissals. Stepmother and adoptive mother are now eligible for membership. Blue Star Dads and others who want to serve BSMA, Inc. may join as a Partner Member. Association members do not choose or pay dues.
At the 2010 National Convention, under the leadership of the National President, Wendy Hoffman, a resolution was adopted by a convention body that changed the eligibility for membership. The resolution was brought to Capitol Hill and in August 2011 a bill was introduced to Congress, followed immediately by a suitable bill in the senate. Both Bills passed and on December 13, 2012, President Obama signed the Act and eligibility for expanded membership to include Grandma, Mother Foster, All Stepmother and legal guardians of women. Membership is also now open to Americans living in other countries.
Blue Star Mothers consists of local chapters, organized into departments in several states. Five members are asked to start a local chapter.
Just as when it was founded, Blue Star Mothers continued to concentrate on providing emotional support to its members, providing support to active military forces, doing voluntary work with veterans at public hospitals and veterans in particular, and growing a sense of patriotism and respect for members of the Armed Forces. In addition, local chapters carry out projects of their own choosing.
Blue Star Mothers do more than volunteer at hospitals and VA outreach centers. They work in physical and emotional rehabilitation, assistance with medical supplies, transportation, food, clothing and friendship, thanks and love.
Blue Star Mothers has no permanent headquarters, so its headquarters are traveling with the national president. The current National President (2014-15) is Judy Dorsey of Ohio. The location of the convention is chosen by the National President every year. Recent conventions are held in Washington, D.C., Cincinnati, and San Francisco.
There were about 30,000 members during World War II and several thousand during the Korean War and the Vietnam War. As of July 2006, membership has grown to 164 branches nationwide. As of April 2014, there are over 7,500 members and associates in about 200 chapters.
See also
References
External links
- Official website
- Blue Star Mothers page on Facebook
- US. Statutes Combine Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc.
- Blue Star Banner Image
- Chapter:
- Blue Star Mothers of Wisconsin Chapter 2
- Grand Valley Blue Star Mothers Colorado Chapter 4
- Lone Star Chapter 6 of DFW Texas Region
- Connecticut Blue Star Mothers
- "Blue Star Moms Launcher" ~ California Chapter 25
- "Blue Star Mothers H.O.M.E." ~ Corona, California Chapter 30
- Houston Chapter Area
Source of the article : Wikipedia
0 Comments