Happy 237th Birthday US MARINES

During the American Revolution, many important political discussion took place in the inns and taverns of Philadelphia, including the founding of the Marine Corps.

A committee of the Continental Congress met at Tun Tavern to draft a resolution calling for two battalions of Marines able to fight for independence at sea and on shore.

The resolution was approved on November 10, 1775, officially forming the Continental Marines.

As the first order of business, Samuel Nicholas became Commandant of the newly formed Marines. Tun Tavern's owner and popular patriot, Robert Mullan, became his first captain and recruiter. They began gathering support and were ready for action by early 1776.

Each year, the Marine Corps marks November 10th with a celebration of the brave spirit which compelled these men and thousands since to defend our country as United States Marines.

SEMPER FI
1775-2012

AN 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!!!

Wreaths for Boscawen

The Blue Star Mothers of NH, sponsor of the program - Wreaths at Boscawen – would like your help in placing wreaths in Section 4 on December 15, 2012 at the New Hampshire Veterans Cemetery starting at 10:00am. The wreaths being placed are 12" and will have a red ribbon. The wreath laying event will coincide with the day that the wreaths are placed on the graves at Arlington National Cemetery. This is an idea that started with a wish made by a Gold Star Family in 2007 that were facing their first Christmas without their son who is buried in Arlington National Cemetery, and was inspired by the wreaths placed at Arlington National Cemetery by the Worcester Wreath Company, the Blue Star Mothers of New Hampshire decided we needed to answer their Christmas wish Soldier’s Helpers once again will be on hand with refreshments and hot drinks. At noon the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) will hold a ceremony at the Circle of Flags in conjunction with Wreaths Across America. The ceremony coincides with similar ceremonies across the United States of America with placing ceremonial wreaths on the military service markers. We invite you all to stay and support the CAP and Wreaths Across America. We will return on January 12, 2012 starting at 10:00am to help pick up all the wreaths and all are welcome to join us. We need your help and are accepting donations to help us purchase a 12" Balsam Wreath with a four loop red bow. The wreaths cost is $6.50 and are purchased locally and will be delivered to the NH Veterans Cemetery on December 15th. Donations can be made in Honor of or in Memory of someone that will be entered on our Tribute page. Donation forms can be downloaded from the Wreaths for Boscawen webpage and mailed to us. Please make checks payable to: Blue Star Mothers of NH ~ Wreaths, 11 Jameson Ave. Gilford, NH 03249 or donations can be made with the donation button on the Wreaths for Boscawen webpage. To learn more about the Wreaths for Boscawen visit our website: www.bluestarmothersofnh.org. Should you have any

questions please email us at bluestarmothersofnh@gmail.com.

 

The Blue Star Mothers of New Hampshire would like to thank you for your support.

Karen Thurston, President
Blue Star Mothers of New Hampshire

SPECIAL PRAYERS -- Flag Day - June 14, 2011

Our Banner flies across the skies,
And to some it means more than to others.

The mother at the grave, The young and the brave,
Yes, to some it means more than to others.

As the warriors we love serve our nation in far and distant lands, may we remember this Flag Day the Banner under which they fight to secure peace and freedom throughout the world. May, with great pride, we give honor and respect to the Flag of the United States of America, displaying it for all to see at our homes, offices, and places of worship. Our Banner stands for the American way of life ~ 'Old Glory' waves for a Nation whose foundations are rock solid in liberty and justice and who's heroes are willing to give all that it will forever fly over the land and people they love.

Flag Day, June 14, 2011, also the 236th Birthday of our Nation's oldest fighting force, the United States Army. Their determination to attain, establish, and guard the country envisioned by a people wishing to be free, provided the beginnings of that which would lead to the finest branches of military service, the United States Armed Forces.

Today, may we pray for all those serving in our Armed Forces whether stateside or abroad ~ may we pray for those who have serve under our Banner throughout the years ~ those who stand beside and give support to the Armed Forces past and present ~ the precious families of those who have given their forevers for the freedoms for which Our Flag stands ~ and for our Nation itself.

Our Banner flies across the skies,
And to some it means more than to others.

The mother at the grave, The young and the brave,
Yes, to some it means more than to others.

Holding You In Prayer,

Rev. Lin McGee
National Chaplain, Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc.

NH Freedom Ride

"As an American asked to serve, I was prepared to fight,
to be wounded,to be captured and even prepared to die,
but I was not prepared to be abandoned."

(Former POW Eugene "Red" McDaniel - Source:
VVnW POW/MIA Page)

Join us for the POW/MIA VIGIL AND FREEDOM RIDE on JUNE 16, 2011 ~ THURSDAY @ 7:00 PM. The ”Ride to the Rock” HESKY PARK MEREDITH

Numbers and Voices are important! This issue belongs to EVERYONE!

This is the 23rd Anniversary of the weekly Vigils ~ the 18th Anniversary of the Freedom Ride.

Who Wants To Tell These Soldiers They Are Not Prisoners of War
Speak up now for those whose voice can’t be heard!

Guest Speakers: Skip Rollins ~ NH Gold Star Father of Spc. Justin Rollins (KIA 2007) and Hero the dog Justin rescued as a puppy a few days before he died and his parents brought home to live with them.

Prior to line up join the New Hampshire Army National Guard in support of the Northeast POW/MIA Network Freedom Ride at Lowe’s. The National Guard Hummer will be there as well to follow the parade of bikes to Meredith, NH.

Anyone riding should plan on being at Lowe's, 1407 Lake Shore Road [formerly K-Mart Plaza] in Gilford. Plan on being there by *6:00pm ~ lineup is at 6:15pm and we will be leaving the parking lot by 6:30pm with a state trooper escort down route 3 to “The Rock” Hesky Park.

IF YOU ARE NOT A RIDER ~ Please join us ~ you can arrive by vehicle by way of Route 106 N. There is plenty of parking and your voice is important!

To learn more about the Northeast POW/MIA Network and POW/MIA issue visit: www.northeastpowmianetwork.org

Neither International Law nor the Geneva Conventions makes any mention of individuals carried by their countries as Missing/Captured or MIA-C. We realize that our enemies violate the rules of international law and the Geneva Conventions regarding the care and treatment of captured American Service Personnel. Terminology will not change that. Terminology does change world perception regarding the value we place on our captured personnel.

Memorial Day Prayer

We stand for them.......The young and the brave......Now that day is done.

We stand for them with honor, with pride, with broken hearts and empty arms......

Memorial Day.

Our heroes have gone on before us - too young to go - but too brave to stay. Our hearts were set on our lives together, an eternity of days, a future of tomorrows...... yet, day is done.

We draw together in prayer.

May we give thanks to the Almighty that we have such a land of blessing and hope to live in. A land provided and sustained by the brave of our nation. Those who have stepped forth to right wrongs and secure liberties. Those, our heroes, who have gone before us.

May we remember and pray for their families ~ seeking their comfort, their healing, their strength. May we beseech God that they may live in peace, the peace brought forth to our nation by the sacrifice of their hero.

And may we pray for one another. May we never forget what our heroes have given. May we hold our standards high and bringing their honor forth.

Those, too young to go - but too brave to stay......

Now day is done.....

WE STAND FOR THEM!

Peace and Prayers,

May your Memorial Day be One of Blessing, Safety, and Honor,

Rev. Lin McGee
National Chaplain
Star Mothers of America, Inc.

SPECIAL PRAYERS -- Armed Forces Day

SPECIAL PRAYERS -- Armed Forces Day Each year, we in America set aside the third Saturday in May to honor our Nation's Armed Forces. . . . . . .

ARMY -- I am an American Soldier. I am a Warrior and a member of a team. 'First to fight for the right, And to build the Nation's might, And the Army goes rolling along......'

MARINES -- Before God I swear this creed. My rifle and I are the defenders of my country. We are the masters of our enemy. 'From the Halls of Montezuma, To the shores of Tripoli, We fight our country's battles, In the air, on land, and sea.......'

NAVY -- I am a United States Sailor. I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America and I will obey the orders of those appointed over me. 'Anchors Aweigh, my boys, Anchors Aweigh, Farewell to college joys , We sail at break of day, 'ay 'ay 'ay .......'

AIR FORCE -- I am an American Airman. I am a Warrior. I have answered my nation's call. 'Off we go into the wild blue yonder, Climbing high into the sun; Here they come zooming to meet our thunder, At 'em boys, Give 'er the gun........'

COAST GUARD -- I am proud to be a United States Coast Guardsman. I revere that long line of expert seamen who by their devotion to duty and sacrifice of self have made it possible for me to be a member of a service honored and respected, in peace and in war, throughout the world. 'We're always ready for the call, We place our trust in Thee. Through surf and storm and howling gale, High shall our purpose be........'

As the mothers, fathers, family, and friends of this proud and outstanding fighting force, what better way to honor our heroes than through prayer to the Almighty? May we stand together this Saturday, May 18, 2013, as the enduring force of strength behind our military men and women ~ lifting our voices in prayer ~ giving faithful word to the Almighty for their protection, thanksgiving for their well being, petition for their wisdom, and appreciation for their service. God Bless the Men and Women of Our Armed Forces!!!

Prayers,

Rev. Lin McGee

National Chaplain Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc.