A Holiday Prayer for Military Families

Remember those at home while their loved ones are deployed during this holiday season.

by Edie Melson

Sometimes it’s easier to think of the military troops who are deployed during the holiday season but not their families. Today, let’s remember those families and lift them up in prayer to the One who can provide the comfort they need:

Dear Lord,

I’m praying for all those who have a loved one on deployment around the globe. I know this time of year can be a challenge, even if the deployment isn’t necessarily in a war zone. Being separated from those we care about is always hard.

I’m asking that you give these families a special peace this holiday season. Give them lots of opportunities to spend time in communication with their loved ones—through whatever means available. Thank you for all the different ways we have now to communicate around the world. Make sure packages and letter arrive in a timely fashion. Keep the digital and telephone lines clear and free from static.

Fill the days with activities to take their minds from the emptiness they feel. Surround them with friends and family who understand their struggles and can support them in ways that provide just what they need. Put people in their lives to be Your hands and feet during this stressful holiday season.

Remind them of the blessings that still surround them. Don’t let them withdraw. Instead help them to take part in the joy of this season.

Most of all, give them tangible proof that You are there with them and with their loved one. Remind them of Your great love and all the ways You watch over the entire family, those at home and deployed.

Amen.

He heals the brokenhearted and bins up their wounds. (Psalm 147:3, NASB)

Wreaths for Boscawen ~ Saturday, December 14, 2019 at 10:30 AM

Overview:  Each year, the Blue Star Mothers of New Hampshire sponsors Wreaths for Boscawen.  This event is intended to bring the community together to honor the veterans and family members interred at the NH State Veterans Cemetery and throughout the world.  Wreaths are sourced locally and paid for through generous donations made by individuals and businesses throughout New Hampshire. Please go to www.bluestarmothersofnh.org/wreaths-for-boscawen to donate/sponsor a wreath.

This event started in 2007 and was inspired by Wreaths Across America, which is a national program where wreaths are sourced through a company in Maine.  Over the past several years, we have moved toward sourcing wreaths locally because it is cheaper ($8 locally verses $15 through WAA) and it supports NH jobs and economic growth.  Starting in 2020, Wreaths for Boscawen will always occur on the first Saturday in December and all wreaths will be sourced locally. 

Why we do not do every headstone.  We are often asked about placing wreaths on every headstone.  While we appreciate this sentiment, we also balance that goal against the approximate $45,000 cost (which will continually increase) of putting wreaths on each headstone.  The Blue Star Mothers and cemetery leadership made a decision to limit the number of wreaths purchased and placed through this program to between 33% and 50% of all headstones in the cemetery.  We made this decision to limit our fundraising in the hopes that our generous donors would also consider contributing to other worthy causes throughout the state (veteran homelessness, mental health awareness and treatment, hunger, Veteran Service Organizations, etc.).  Any extra funds from the current year will rollover to start the fundraising for following year’s wreaths.  We LOVE our wreaths, but we also recognize that they will be collected and disposed of in January.   Importantly, we always welcome families and friends to purchase a wreath locally and place it on their loved one’s headstone separate from the Wreaths for Boscawen event.  

The day of the event.  If you have not attended this event personally, we encourage you to do so!  It is a beautiful, solemn, enjoyable day to honor our veterans and families.  That said, we are always seeking ways to increase safety, efficiency and enjoyment.  This year we are going to do things a bit differently.  Prior to the event, a small group of volunteers will attach bows and place wreaths in box trucks. On day of the event, the box trucks with wreaths will be strategically positioned throughout the cemetery.  We will have a very brief opening ceremony at 10:30 AM at the Circle of Flags.  Participants will then move to any box truck they wish and wait in line to receive wreaths to place on headstones.  Wreaths will NOT be handed out until 10:30 AM.  In addition, please remember during our Wreaths for Boscawen event to take time to read the names on the headstones to the left and right of where you place the wreath so that we remember ALL those who are interred here.

We will hand out a maximum of two (2) wreaths per person (including children).  We want to make sure that as many people as possible have an opportunity to place a wreath.  Even if you donate 10 wreaths (which we welcome), we will only hand out wreaths two at a time. After careful placement, you are welcome to return to the line to pick-up two more wreaths.  Wreath donations are for the interred veterans and their families, they are not reservations to place a specific number of wreaths.  In addition, we cannot guarantee that you can place a wreath on a specific headstone during the event.  If you want to place a wreath on a specific headstone, we recommend doing so prior to December 14th or by positioning a person at the headstone before 10:30 AM and having someone else in your group bring you a wreath. 

This event is about our community coming together to honor ALL veterans and family members.  By placing a wreath on any headstone, you are honoring your friends and loved ones interred at the NH State Veterans Cemetery or at any other location around the world – including those whose remains are lost, MIA, or otherwise scattered.  The act itself is the tribute to your loved ones and all of our heroes.

Throughout the event, we will have music playing on the carillon system and refreshments (including warm drinks) available in the maintenance area.  In addition, the CSM Stanley and Renate Arnold Veterans Heritage Learning Center will be open for visitors to learn more about the service and sacrifice of our NH veterans.  At 12:00 PM at the Circle of Flags, the Civil Air Patrol will conduct a ceremony to honor all branches of service.  All are highly encouraged to attend. 

Arrive a bit early to allow time to park.  Dress warm.  We look forward to seeing you on December 14th at 10:30 AM for this awesome event.     

Wreaths will be taken down on Saturday, January 11th at 10:30 AM.  All are welcome to attend!

5 Facts to Know About Veterans Day

Veterans Day is a well-known American holiday, but there are also a few misconceptions about it — like how it’s spelled or whom exactly it celebrates. To clear some of that up, here are the important facts you should know.

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Becoming a Military Parent

On behalf of the Blue Star Mother’s of America, it is with great honor that we welcome you into the journey of being a military parent!

We are there with you as you cross the bridge to becoming a Blue Star Mother and Father to support you in any way we can.

We are a support group, whose members consist of Mothers, Fathers, Spouses, Siblings, Grandparents, Extended Family and Friends of someone who has or has had a loved one in the military. We support each other, our military and veterans.

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!”

Written by: Jean T. Duane
National 2nd Vice President ~ 2007

National POW/MIA Recognition Day

Sharing from THE NATIONAL LEAGUE OF POW/MIA FAMILIES

September 20, 2019 will soon be proclaimed by the President as National POW/MIA Recognition Day. Over the past several years, all or most of the 50 states have proclaimed POW/MIA Recognition Day in conjunction with the national effort. The League has asked each state to issue a proclamation, so please contact your Governor and ask for his/her support and a copy of your state’s proclamation!

Across the country, local POW/MIA ceremonies are encouraged throughout POW/MIA Recognition Week, culminating with a countless number of events and the national ceremony in Washington, DC, on Recognition Day. Support for Americans missing and unaccounted-for in wartime, and their families, is deeply felt. America’s POW/MIAs can be honored and recognized, but not memorialized. The focus should be on sustaining commitment to account for them as fully as possible. Strong, united, active support by the American people is crucial to achieving concrete answers. Now is the time to plan for this year’s ceremonies. Thus far, the American people, especially our supportive veterans, have made the difference.

https://www.pow-miafamilies.org/recognition-day-2019.html