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

Military OneSource

Military OneSource is your 24/7 connection to information, answers and support to help you reach your goals, overcome challenges and thrive. As a member of our military family, you are eligible to use this Department of Defense-funded program anytime, anywhere. Turn to Military OneSource for tax services, spouse employment help, webinars and online training, relocation and deployment tools, and much more. Learn about some of the ways we serve you.

All the ways Military OneSource can support you

Sending a Military Care Package: What You Need To Know

Military care packages deliver a welcome piece of home to your service member while they’re away – whether that’s your child, fiancé, sibling or friend. They help both of you stay connected despite distance or duty.

Here are some appropriate ways to send those care packages to your service member throughout their time in the military.

Care packages during boot camp? Letters are better.

When your recruit first left for basic training, you may have noticed that they only took a few things with them. This is because the military provides everything recruits need during boot camp, from meals and housing to basics like toothbrushes or socks. Duplicates from home are stored and only retrieved after graduation.

That's why most service branches discourage care packages for recruits in boot camp. In fact, receiving an unauthorized care package may result in a punishment from the drill instructor for their entire unit. So, it’s better to wait until your recruit finishes basic before you send any packages.

Ordinary mail, however, is always allowed. A letter from home can encourage your recruit during the demands of basic training.

If you do send a letter, use a plain piece of paper and an envelope. It’s okay to send photos, but don’t do things like decorating the envelope – it could cause unwanted attention for your recruit. Plan on two weeks for letter delivery, so time letters to arrive before graduation. Think twice about texting, sending digital cards or email, as your service member will have very limited use of a cell phone, if at all. Use of cell phones is dictated by service branch and drill sergeants.

After boot camp is the time to send military care packages.

Service members who have finished basic training or are on deployment generally have more freedom to receive care packages. Sending a military care package is a great way to show your appreciation and love for your service member and all they do for our country.

If you are a parent or other relative, consider sending the music, toiletries, foods and treats your service member likes best. If you are in a relationship with a service member, think about sending notes, cards and small items that remind them how much you care. And, of course, photos from home are always welcome.

Here are some military care package ideas that are appreciated by service members:

• Necessities, such as sunblock, socks, underwear, flip-flops, lip balm and powder

• Snacks, including chips, salsa, nuts, cookies, beef jerky, non-melting candy and trail mix in packaging that isn’t easily crushed. Drink mixes in single-serving packets are also a good addition.

• Homemade foods: The most popular items are cookies and “cake in a jar,” which is a cake baked in a canning jar. Again, the key is sturdy packaging to prevent crushing.

• Games, such as playing cards/poker chips, crosswords or puzzle books.

• Stationery is a must if you want to receive any letters from your service member. Send paper, envelopes, address labels and pens, but skip the stamps. They won't need them.

• Photos and notes that show your support and affection. Maybe get a daily tear-off calendar and write an encouraging note on each page.

Once you know what you want to send, follow these tips to make sure your military care package arrives in good condition:

• Seal everything: Individually seal items in plastic bags with zip locks, if possible, to protect items from the elements or to keep them from leaking out.

• Use sturdy packaging: The best packaging is a free Military Care Kit from the U.S. Postal Service, which includes priority mail boxes, tape, custom forms and address labels. The packaging is free, but the postage is not.

• Provide accurate shipping information: Include your service member’s unit, last and first name, title, DPO/FPO/APO and full ZIP code.

• Take advantage of reduced postage for military mail: You only have to provide standard domestic postage on mail going to an APO or FPO address. For example, if you pay $5 to mail a package in the continental United States, it costs the same to mail it overseas as long as you have an APO / FPO / DPO address and associated ZIP code.

• Complete the customs forms: You need to fill out customs forms for any shipping outside the United States. Customs forms are included with Military Care Kits or can be found on the USPS website.

• Consider shipping time: Most care packages can make it to the Middle East in about two weeks, but some take longer. For holidays, allow about five weeks for delivery.

• Be careful what you send: Check the post office’s prohibited items list to keep items from being rejected. Remember that sometimes packages from home get opened by someone before your service member, so don’t send anything you don’t want strangers to see. Also, don’t send things that are valuable or can’t be replaced – sometimes packages get lost.

Care packages are always good, but sometimes a service member may need a bit more, whether it’s help with taxes as Tax Day approaches or talking with someone who can listen. Do you know that active-duty, National Guard and reserve service members have access to a wide range of individualized consultations, coaching and a range of other services? This includes relationship and peer-to-peer counseling to tax preparation and financial services to wellness coaches and more. It’s all free and available 24/7 through Military OneSource.

Operation Care for Troops Holiday Packing event

Hello Everyone!

In just a few weeks Operation Care for Troops Holiday Packing event is scheduled to take place November 13, 2019 through November 16, 2019. We are looking for volunteers for each day. So, if you would like to help please send your name and the day/time you would like attend to volunteer@octnh.org.

Operation Care for Troops is in need of the following items: nut mixes or trail mixes (individual to 10 oz); Protein Bars; Individual Drink Mixes; Lip balm; Dental Floss; Beef Jerky; Gum; Small peanut butters; and Small canned fruit with flip tops.

To help defray the shipping costs of packages for "The 2019 Holiday Packing" DONATE FUNDS FOR POSTAGE!!

Ship a box for $20. During the past few weeks we have received four new units increasing our number to over 2,000. With these number we expect our shipping expenses and content purchases to be between $12,000 to $15,00 for this packing event!

Looking forward to seeing soon,

Ted
ted@octnh.org
http://www.octnh.org/

NH Veterans Cemetery Standing with Fallen Comrades

On occasion, the NH State Veterans Cemetery receives a request to inter a veteran or family member with no known next-of-kin. The service, with military honors (if appropriate) is conducted with a cemetery staff member in attendance. Occasionally, if given enough notice, the cemetery will reach out to various groups to encourage attendance.

The NH State Veterans Cemetery has created a page to allow those who are interested to sign-up for e-mail notification when there is a burial with no known next-of-kin. This list will ONLY be used for these notifications. Please feel free to sign-up if you are interested.

If you would like to be notified of interments with no known next-of-kin, please provide your email address below and you will receive an email with the date and time of the service. These services can occur on very short-notice. We never hold remains overnight. We always inter remains the day they are received. In the case of unscheduled services, we conduct the service in conjunction with a previously scheduled event for that particular military branch; therefore, the service may occur after the remains are interred.

Click on this link if you would like to be notified by email.

YOUR SOLDIER, YOUR ARMY: A FAMILY GUIDE ~ by Vicki Cody

If you are reading this book, you probably have a loved one serving in the Army. This is the new and revised edition of my original book, Your Soldier, Your Army—A Parents’ Guide, published in 2005. A lot has changed since then and I, along with the Association of the United States Army’s Institute of Land Warfare, decided it was time to update the original book.

Read More

Download SR-2017-Your-Soldier-Your-Army-A-Family-Guide.pdf (8.55 MB)

Copies of this publication are available free of charge. To order, please e-mail ILWResources@ausa.org and include your name, a shipping address and how many you'd like to order.

NH Veterans Count

About Veterans Count

Our Mission

Veterans Count, the philanthropic arm of Easterseals Military & Veterans Services (MVS), provides critical and timely financial assistance and services when no other resource is available to service members, veterans and their families, to ensure their dignity, health and overall well-being.

We continue to ensure that 90% of net dollars raised for Veterans Count is spent to provide services and grow resources for NH service members, veterans and their families.

Our Story

It Began with this Question: “How Can We Help Service Members and Their Families?”

Veterans Count was conceived in 2007 when Easterseals’ NH Board Member, Mike Salter sought to bring comprehensive, emergency aid to veterans and their families whose quality of life was significantly impacted by deployment to war zones.

A veteran of the US Army Special Forces, Mike and the Easterseals NH President and CEO, Larry Gammon, approached the NH Joint Force Headquarters (NH National Guard) and the NH Department of Health and Human Services for assistance in designing a compassionate, responsive, highly-targeted care program for veterans and their families who were “falling through the cracks,” as a result of service to their country.

Easterseals developed a Care Coordination model centered on highly skilled clinicians meeting one-on-one with service members and their families to address critical issues while building trust and working toward developing long-term self-sufficiency. Care Coordinators met the immediate presenting needs such as food, shelter, transportation and mental health intervention. Once a trusting relationship was established, Care Coordinators were then able to address deeper issues such as Post Traumatic Stress, sustainable employment, and long-term housing.

Critical to the services provided by Care Coordinators were the philanthropic funds, which directly address emergency needs while providing a conduit for Care Coordinators to assist service members and veterans with more chronic and entrenched challenges.

As Easterseals Military & Veterans Services began to execute its mission, it became clear that more community assistance and fundraising was needed to provide adequate aid. Federal, local and national grants provided for the training and services of Care Coordinators. Yet, the need for additional funding for basic necessities such as food, clothing, housing, etc. was apparent. A task force comprised of business leaders was developed and Veterans Count was formed.

Veterans Count has received the highest praise and support from our national and local elected officials and is viewed as a comprehensive and successful model being emulated throughout the country. As more and more service members and their families continue to struggle with the challenges of multiple deployments, the need to provide support continues to grow.

Since inception, more than 14,800 individuals have been served. Philanthropic dollars, totaling more than $3.8 million, have been distributed to provide financial support that may include food, utilities, housing, transportation, fuel, and vehicle repair.

Significant Outcomes to Date as of July 2019

• 6,638 service members, veterans and their families (14,856 individuals) have been served

• Care Coordinators have intervened in 119 cases of significant suicide risk

• Homelessness has been prevented for 1,531 families at risk of foreclosure or eviction, and an additional 1,112 families have received Care Coordination services that addressed housing stability

• 2,463 individuals were successfully engaged in treatment for mental health or adjustment problems

• 23,408 referrals have been made to community and military resources

• 1,313 program participants have obtained employment

Emergency financial assistance provided by Easterseals Military & Veterans Services through Veterans Count for July 2019

• $6,319 was spent on transportation or car repairs

• $1,200 was spent on food and/or grocery gift cards

• $200 was spent on medical expenses not covered by insurance

• $2,881 was spent on emergency dental services

• $3,562 was spent on mortgage payments to prevent foreclosure

• $9,681 was spent on rent payments to landlords

• $3,283 was spent on utilities such as electricity, heating fuel, water, phone, sewer, etc.

• $6,010 was spent on other miscellaneous expenses

• $33,136 is the total emergency financial assistance released to NH service members, veterans and their families

To learn more please contact us.

Gold Star Mother’s Day

Gold Star Mother’s Day is observed on the last Sunday in September which will be Sunday, September 29, 2019 this year. Gold Star Mother’s Day is intended to recognize and honor those mothers who have lost a son or daughter in the service of the U.S. Armed Forces. Each year there are events and meetings to publicly express love, sorrow and reverence toward Gold Star Mothers and their families. Flags are also mandated to be displayed on government buildings on this day.  Army.mil says Gold Star Mother’s Day is intended “to recognize and honor those who have lost a son or daughter in the service of the U.S. Armed Forces”.

Why The Gold Star?

The Gold Star is a symbol of a loved one lost in combat.

According to an L.A. Times article, “During World War I, a practice developed across the country: Families displayed flags featuring a blue star, a sign that a family member was fighting in the war. Some flags would display more than one star.”

The exact origins of this tradition are not fully known, but at some point, gold star flags would go up to signify the family member had died on duty. The term “Gold Star Family” went into the national vocabulary thanks to the sacrifices of men and women serving in uniform.

The holiday is celebrated by American Gold Star Mothers, a Veterans service organization of mothers who have lost a son or daughter in the service of our country.

New Hampshire Gold Star Mother’s Day

New Hampshire has a dedicated Gold Star Mothers Day ~the first Sunday after Easter ~ NH RSA 4:13-h Gold Star Mother's Day

Read more about the New Hampshire Gold Star Mothers

When I See a Blue Star Banner

I am the very proud mother of Petty Officer Adam Stevenson and Petty Officer Erik Stevenson who are serving in the United States Navy and attached to the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in the capacity of electrical technicians and working in the ship’s nuclear-powered reactor department.

To say that I am proud mother is actually the biggest understatement I could make. My heart swells to think of my twin sons serving our country in such an important occupation -- knowing that they work side-by-side with other “power professionals” in defense of our great nation is indeed an honor and a privilege for this mother.

Our family displays a Blue Star Banner in our front window. This banner or service flag has been a nationally recognized symbol of the American military family for nearly one hundred years. Is there a better way to display my love and pride for these sons than by hanging a Blue Star Banner in my front window for all the world to see?

At first thought my answer would be “No, there is no better way”. Naturally, I am very grateful for my two-starred banner and gaze at it fondly every single day, thinking of my sons and the sacrifice of our family to have two loved ones in active duty at this time.

But today I know there actually is a better way, an even more effective way to show this feeling of military family pride...

When the Blue Star Banner was first designed and used in America in 1917 during World War I, our society was still very neighborhood-oriented, there were relatively few cars in the villages and folks on the blocks all knew each other. Horse-drawn carriages and wagons were still the common mode of transportation in rural and suburban areas, although cars were becoming more and more important and affordable to the general public.

In 2014, almost one hundred years later, America is mobile. Many of us spend more time in our cars and SUVs that we spend in our homes. We are families on the road -- driving to shopping places, recreation places, workplaces and general gathering places. Commutes and traveling make up a large portion of every single day.

The military family has hung their Blue Star Banner in their front window or on their front door, but they probably aren’t home right now…

How wonderful it would be if we could take that beautiful American symbol of family pride and love on the road with us! What if wherever we travel, our banner traveled with us!

A Blue Star Banner license plate would be the new perfect way to show the world how proud we are to be a military family in the great state of Illinois.

Natalie Stevenson
Proud Mother

For the Love of the Blue Star Mothers

For the past 77 years, Blue Star Mothers of America have gathered. They serve behind the scenes while their children serve America on the front lines all around the world. They support one another, share each other’s burdens, comfort and listen. They pack care boxes to send overseas to the troops. They throw baby showers for young military moms and families. They raise money to buy wreaths to lay atop the graves of our fallen warriors at Arlington National Cemetery and other places of rest. They have round table discussions about PTSD and the risk of veteran suicides. They work through the stresses of the deployment cycle and hold each other tightly if the most terrible news comes to their doorstep.

From the first recorded and official meeting of the Blue Star Mothers in Flint, Michigan, the call has gone out across America to join hands and work together for the common good of military families and our nation. The need for support was great in 1942, and a shocking three hundred mothers showed up at the Durant Hotel in response to a notice in the Flint News Advertiser. With World War II raging around the globe, these mothers knew better than anyone else how critical it was to mobilize in support of their fighting sons and daughters serving in all branches of the Armed Forces.

During those dark days of the War, Blue Star Mothers worked together in hospitals, schools, churches and train stations to pack and ship packages to the troops, roll bandages, organize community recycling programs, and write letters together. They hung their Blue Star Banners in their front windows with pride in country, pride in family.

The moms in 1945 with their official uniforms.

Today a fresh generation of mothers hang banners and fly American flags. They still volunteer and support the troops and military families across our great land. They provide support for active duty service personnel, promote patriotism, assist Veterans organizations, and are available to assist in homeland volunteer efforts to help our country remain strong.

Blue Star Mothers of NH

Nearly every state has chapters of this good organization — check their website  to find a group near you or Blue Star Mothers of NH . If there is no organized chapter near you, then by all means, find four other moms and start one!

Like the children they have raised, they are brave and resilient. Love for the United States of America runs deep within their veins. They still pray for each other and the sons and daughters who are deployed far and away.

May God bless the Blue Star Mothers.

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

NH Veterans Cemetery Standing with Fallen Comrades

On occasion, the NH State Veterans Cemetery receives a request to inter a veteran or family member with no known next-of-kin. The service, with military honors (if appropriate) is conducted with a cemetery staff member in attendance. Occasionally, if given enough notice, the cemetery will reach out to various groups to encourage attendance.

If you would like to be notified of interments with no known next-of-kin, please provide your email address below and you will receive an email with the date and time of the service. These services can occur on very short-notice. We never hold remains overnight. We always inter remains the day they are received. In the case of unscheduled services, we conduct the service in conjunction with a previously scheduled event for that particular military branch; therefore, the service may occur after the remains are interred.

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Six names to be added to 9/11 monument in Hampton

Six names will be added to the Global War on Terrorism Monument in Hampton on the 18th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

The dedication will take place at 6 p.m. Wednesday, September 11th in front of the monument outside the American Legion Post 35 Hall at 69 High St.

The monument bears the names of all service members from New Hampshire who lost their lives in the Global War on Terrorism since Sept. 11, 2001. Originally, the monument only listed those who died in combat but was expanded to include those who died by suicide, post-traumatic stress disorder and other service-related injuries.

“We try to make the monument more inclusive than most,” said Post 35 Cmdr. Berkley Bennett. “We do it for the families of the fallen, so that they don’t feel that their loved one is forgotten.”

Added to the monument this year are Master Gunnery Sgt. Dale F. Racicot, 54, of Weare; Spc. Matthew R. Woods, 22, of Lyman; Spc. Jonathan M. Mickle, 27, of Rye; Spc. Ryan J. McDermot, 26, of Hampton; Sgt. Ryan P. Goggin, 30, of Wolfeboro; and Cpl. Jonathan W. Currier, 21, of Hampton.

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100 Nights of Remembrance at the NH Veterans Cemetery

It was Memorial Day, 2006, as members of the Muchachos Drum and Bugle Corps brass section silently took their places in front of the 20 white granite monuments that surround the grand flag at the New Hampshire State Veteran’s Cemetery in Boscawen, NH. One by one, players sounded Taps, in echo form, with a lone bugler sounding a solo echo at the end. It was called and was the beginning of something very special.

On Memorial Day, 2007, what started as “An Evening of Echo Taps” the year before, had grown into the 100 Nights of Remembrance. The goal was to have a live bugler sound Taps for the 100 nights between Memorial Day and September 11th as a simple show of respect and honor to those Americans who have sacrificed and served our country honorably in any branch of the United States Armed Forces. Members of the Muchachos were joined by other brass players from the community, some of which would travel an hour to sound those 24 solemn notes, and some learned to play just so they could participate. At precisely 7:00PM there was a live bugler each of those first 100 nights.

This Memorial Day marks another year of providing this simple, yet powerful tribute to our fallen heroes. What makes the live sounding of Taps so meaningful? Why do people travel to hear a simple 24 note melody echo through the summer air? It depends on the individual. For many of the nightly visitors to the NH State Veterans Cemetery, it brings closure and peace. For others, it is a time of reflection and introspection while they visit the graves of loved ones who lost their lives fighting for our country. And for others still, it is an opportunity to meet up with other veterans and their spouses to share stories and friendship. For everyone it brings two minutes of silence and often a tear.

The players, or “Knights” as they are called, are not required to have a military background and there is no age restriction. The only requirement is that they are able to sound Taps correctly and commit to a minimum of 3 nights a year. Many of the Knights are civilians who have never served and are just looking for a way to give back. “The 100 Nights of Remembrance is very near and dear to me.” Says founder, Noel Taylor. “We have a dedicated group of volunteer “Knights” whose commitment to this [100 Nights] has allowed us to keep this going over the past seven years. I can’t say enough about the men, women, and youngsters, who make a point to participate each year.”

“The public is always invited to join the Knights each night through the summer”, Taylor continued, “A calendar is posted on the website: www.100nightsofremembrance.org where you can see if a bugler is scheduled for the evening you plan to visit the cemetery.” We could use more Knights this year, so if you are a brass player and would like to participate, please contact the 100 Nights for more information.

The New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery is open to the public seven days a week. Walking through the grounds can be peaceful and inspirational as well as interesting and educational. Be sure to visit the Memorial Walk where monuments representing all of the branches of the United States Armed Services are there in addition to other commemorative plaques and sculptures.

For more information please contact:

Noel Taylor, Director, 100 Nights of Remembrance- noel@100nightsofremembrance.org

www.100nightsofremembrance.org