An Addison mom whose son will soon leave to fight in Iraq wishes to start a local chapter of an organization that offers support for both military parents at home and troops overseas.
‘We’re hoping everyone will want to take part and be involved,? said Mary Loveless, mother of U.S. Army PFC Christopher Loveless.
Loveless and others are working to establish a chapter of Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc. (www.bluestarmothers.org) that will encompass Oakland, Macomb and southern Lapeer counties.
Blue Star Mothers is a nonpartisan, nonprofit group consisting of mothers, stepmothers and adoptive mothers with sons or daughters currently serving or honorably discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces. Members are dedicated to supporting each other and their children while promoting patriotism.
The organization was founded in March 1942 during World War II in response to a newspaper article published in Flint.
Blue Star Mothers derived its name from the Service Flags military families customarily hang in their windows to denote servicemen or women in harm’s way during any period of war or hostilities the U.S. is engaged in. The official banner, authorized by the U.S. Department of Defense, is defined as a white field with a red border and one or more blue stars in the center representing each family member on active duty.
An informal and informational meeting of this new tri-county chapter of Blue Star Mothers is scheduled for noon on Sunday, March 16 at Romeo VFW Post 2052, which is located at 70455 McVicar Rd. The meeting is open to the public.
‘The mothers that I have talked to are very excited,? Loveless said. ‘The VFWs are just ecstatic that there’s going to be a chapter because it’s been so long.?
Given the price of gasoline these days, Loveless said they’re hoping to rotate the meeting sites at different VFW and American Legion posts. The hope is this will make it more convenient and increase the level of involvement.
Having a local chapter of Blue Star Mothers will be a great comfort and support system for mothers whose sons and daughters are currently serving overseas or scheduled for deployment.
‘There are thousands that are going to be deployed between March and April,? said Loveless, whose son leaves Saturday, March 15 for training at Fort Hood in Texas. ‘Anyone who enlists right now will be deployed at one time or another.?
PFC Loveless, a 23-year-old chemical operations specialist who enlisted last September, will be deployed to Iraq sometime in April.
‘My heart’s breaking,? said the soldier’s worried mother, who noted nearly 4,000 soldiers have died in Iraq so far. ‘I’m afraid. I’m scared to death.?
‘People say they understand, but they don’t understand what it’s like to face having a child go off to countries like Iraq and Afghanistan,? Loveless explained.
Loss of ‘control? ? not being able to ‘help them or protect them or fix something for them? ? is the hardest part for any parent in Loveless? opinion.
‘There’s days I feel like I’m going crazy,? she said. ‘It’s normal for a military parent to feel that.?
That’s why it’s so important to have an organization like Blue Star Mothers whose members share a common bond.
‘We all feel, have and share the same fears,? Loveless said.
Fathers can join Blue Star Dads while other family members and friends can become Blue Star Associates.
Besides offering a much-needed shoulder-to-lean-on for moms, Blue Star Mothers is active in supporting the troops overseas with fund-raisers and care packages, and promoting patriotism at home.
Despite the fact ‘there’s a lot of negativity out there? directed at the war and government, Loveless said, ‘we have to support the men and women that are over there,? even if we disagree with the politics behind it all.
Blue Star Mothers also helps families dealing with wounded soldiers and those suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder by giving them advice, direction and a listing of resources.
Although she worries about her son’s safety, Loveless is proud of what he’s chosen to do with his life.
‘He felt like he wanted to do his part, so he enlisted,? she said. ‘He wanted a challenge and he wanted to make a difference.?
For more information about joining the tri-county chapter of Blue Star Mothers contact Loveless at (586) 924-9104 or Kathy Millbrand (586) 727-1680.