February 1 would become a day to celebrate mothers of combat veterans, and all those who honorably serve in the armed forces
NOTE: Photos Included Below
LANSING, Mich. (May 24, 2023) – Today, the Michigan Senate Veterans and Emergency Services Committee passed Senate Bill 235 to establish February 1 as Blue Star Mothers Day in Michigan. The bipartisan bill is sponsored by Sen. Rick Outman (R-Six Lakes) and cosponsored by Sen. Veronica Klinefelt (D-Eastpointe), who are Minority Vice Chair and Majority Chair respectively of the committee. The bill now moves to the full Senate for consideration.
“I have several Blue Star Mothers in my family, and for them, the moms who shared their stories before our committee, and the Blue Star Mothers from around the state, I am excited to work together across the aisle to move this legislation forward,” Sen. Klinefelt. “I’m particularly honored to do this because Michigan is the birthplace of Blue Star Mothers, so it is high time that we formally recognize these women and what their families mean to our state and nation.”
Outman, who previously sponsored the annual resolution recognizing Blue Star Mothers Day in the Senate, agreed and said this legislation would permanently recognize the organization’s dedication in state law.
“The Blue Star Mothers of America go above and beyond to support the men and women who serve this nation,” Sen. Outman said. “They honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice, visit injured service members in the hospital, help provide support to families who have lost a loved one, and many other volunteer efforts. Blue Star Mothers do incredible work and handle a difficult and emotional task with grace. They do so much for veterans and their families—this legislation is about thanking them for the work they do.”
The Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc. was originally founded in Michigan in 1942 following the attack on Pearl Harbor in which Flint-native Jack Pitcher died aboard the USS West Virginia. The organization was formally chartered by Congress in 1960 during the Vietnam War. Blue Star Mothers offers support for the many mothers, stepmothers, grandmothers, foster mothers and female legal guardians who have children serving in the military, guard or reserves, or children who are veterans.
Jacqueline Ransom, president of Blue Star Mothers of Michigan, said in testimony submitted to the committee, “We are military mothers with roots deep in Michigan. While the mission has changed some over the years, we still support our active-duty military and our veterans.”
Since the early days members have assembled care packages to ship overseas, hosted events or fundraisers at home, participated in funeral or memorial ceremonies when called upon and volunteer for myriad veterans’ programs to offer support and advocacy wherever possible.
“We cry on each other’s shoulders when our children are deployed, we rejoice with each other when they come home,” Ransom said. “We as moms could not be more proud of our children. We are also scared, all the time. It’s a bond only another military mom can understand.”
Learn more about Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc.—and the Michigan chapter—at bluestarmothers.org.
Sen. Klinefelt is also chair of this year’s Senate Memorial Day Service Ceremony, to be held tomorrow, May 25, in the Senate chamber. The ceremony will be livestreamed on Michigan Senate TV.
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