BATON ROUGE — The Blue Star Mothers of Louisiana Chapter 1 is preparing to celebrate 20 years of support and service in a big way. The group is hosting a gala fundraiser next month with all of the proceeds going back to troops and veterans.
The Blue Star Mothers is a congressionally chartered, nationwide support group, but it serves more than just moms.
“Moms and step moms, or those that have raised children that are serving, so grandmothers as well,” founder Janet Stocker Broussard said. “We also have star dads, and associate members. So it can be siblings or friends or just people that want to support the military.”
Broussard started the Baton Rouge-area group 20 years ago when her son was going to war with the 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, a unit of the National Guard.
“I just really didn’t know where to put those emotions and everything that I was going through,” Broussard explained. “I just wanted to meet with other moms who truly understood, because no one understands what it’s like to send your child to war like another mom.”
Broussard’s son served about 24 years in the National Guard, retiring roughly three years ago. He served three combat tours in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kuwait and has a Purple Heart and Bronze Star.
Serving those who serve
Some of the events the Blue Star Mothers host include planting 11,000 flags at the state capitol for Memorial Day, Wreaths Across America, where they lay wreaths at the National Cemetery, and Community Salutes, which honors high school students who are going into the military.
On top of those events, the group meets monthly to offer support to its members.
“We have monthly meetings where we get together and we give moms an opportunity to just be with others who understand what they’re going through,” she said.
Being there for each other is among the group’s great achievements over the last two decades.
“It grew into this tremendous organization where we help others,” Broussard said. “Our biggest accomplishment has been supporting our Gold Stars, those whose children didn’t make it home. That has been our biggest mission.”
Celebrating and giving back
Now, after two decades of providing support and service, the group is ready to celebrate, and give back while they do it.
On August 23, the Blue Star Mothers will host its ‘Support Through Service 20th Year Gala Fundraiser’. All of the proceeds will support two organizations: Honor Flight Louisiana and Books for Boots.
“Honor Flight sends our older veterans to Washington to see their monuments built in their honor,” Broussard explained. “Books for Boots is a grassroots organization that provides reading material to troops stationed all over the place.”
The gala is scheduled to run from 6pm to 10pm, and will feature food, a live band, and master of ceremonies, John Morgan. There will also be a silent auction with donations from local shops, vendors, and organizations.
You can buy tickets online or donate here if you’re unable to attend. You can also find more information about the group and any upcoming events on the Blue Star Mothers of Louisiana’s Facebook page.
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