Military Family Support Group

For parents, siblings, spouses, grandparents, extended family & friends. This support group will be a place to talk, cry, laugh, support, encourage, listen and get valuable information from other military families. 
The following topics will be discussed when needed: boot camp, military life, deployments overseas, Iraq and Afghanistan, PTSD, VA Benefits, Wounded Warriors and Fallen Soldiers. 
Meetings are held on the 1^st Thursday of each month, from 6 pm to 7:30 pm at the Susanville Veterans Memorial Building (meetings held in the back of the Hall)  

A Safe Place For Your Heart    

Name: Cory Harper
Branch: U.S. Army
Rank: PFC
Age: 22
Company: 463rd MP Co.
Station/Base: Ft. Leonardwood, Mo.
Where are they now: Ft. Leonardwood, Mo.
How many Deployments and Where: Operation Iraqi Freedom, 2005-2006

Family Members
Mother: Angela Harper
Father: Kenneth Harper
Spouse: Brandy Harper
Grandparents: Elliott & Cecile Lyman
Siblings: Karisa Harper
Other: 7 week old daughter, Aubrey Leigh-Ann Harper

Did your Service member attend school in Lassen County: Graduated Lassen High School - 2005
Did your Service member play school sports in Lassen County: Played basketball all 4 years, and baseball his freshman and sophomore years.

For more information on, and more pictures from, the Blue Star Moms, visit the Blue Star Moms category page, or click on the Blue Star Mothers banner near the top left of the page.  

To submit your stories and pictures, or if you just have something on your mind, use our handy submission form, or email your stuff to scott@lassensportsnetwork.com 

Name: Eric Ashby II
Rank: Airman
Branch: Air Force
Age: 19
Company: 343^rd Training Squadron
Station/Base: Security Forces Academy, Lackland, Texas
Where are they now: Lackland, TX 

Family Members
Mother: Helen Ashby
Father: Eric Ashby
Grandparents: Dennis and Gayle Ashby – San Diego, CA and Ralph and Ema Sherman, Whittier, CA
Siblings: Austin Ashby, Taylor Ashby

Did your Service member attend school in Lassen County: Meadow View, Diamond View, Lassen High School
Did your Service member play school sports in Lassen County:  Freshman Basketball @ LHS, Four Years of Football @ LHS
Click on pictures to enlarge

For more information on, and more pictures from, the Blue Star Moms, visit the Blue Star Moms category page, or click on the Blue Star Mothers banner near the top left of the page.  

To submit your stories and pictures, or if you just have something on your mind, use our handy submission form, or email your stuff to scott@lassensportsnetwork.com 

Company: 16 Munitions Squadron
Station/Base: Malstrom, Incirlik Airbase, Turkey
Where are they now: Great Falls, Montana 
Family Members
Mother: Berva  Treat
Father: Sam Treat   
Siblings: Tyler Treat and Kyle Treat

Did your Service member attend school in Lassen County: Yes
Did your Service member play school sports in Lassen County: Baseball and Basketball

For more information on, and more pictures from, the Blue Star Moms, visit the Blue Star Moms category page, or click on the Blue Star Mothers banner near the top left of the page.  

To submit your stories and pictures, or if you just have something on your mind, use our handy submission form, or email your stuff to scott@lassensportsnetwork.com 

It’s our honor to support our troops and the Blue Star Moms.
Lassen Sports Network Soldier Photos

Name: Casey G. Lee
Rank: Private
Branch: Army
Age: 19
Company: E Company, 2nd Platoon, 309 Military Intelligence Battalion
Station/Base: Fort Huachuca, Arizona
Where are they now: He is completing AIT training
How many Deployments and Where: Pending, possibly Afghanistan this year
Family Members
Mother: Tracy Stocks
Father: Jeremy Stocks (step-father) Greg Lee (father)
Grandparents: John and Cheryl Clark, Diana Lee, Max Collier
Siblings: Megan Lee and Kristjan Stocks

Did your Service member attend school in Lassen County: Yes, graduated in 2008.
Did your Service member play school sports in Lassen County: He played numerous sports in Lassen county as a youth (soccer, baseball, wrestling, football). He also played one year of high school football and baseball.
OTHER: Casey coached youth soccer and was also the sports editor of the Lassen Cougar Newspaper.
Click on pictures to enlarge
For more information on, and more pictures from, the Blue Star Moms, visit the Blue Star Moms category page, or click on the Blue Star Mothers banner near the top left of the page. 

To submit your stories and pictures, or if you just have something on your mind, use our handy submission form, or email your stuff to scott@lassensportsnetwork.com 

Name: Justin W. Gillespie
Rank: Petty Officer 2nd class (Nuclear Mechanic)
Branch: Navy
Age: Almost 22 (January 30th)
Company: USS Nimitz CVN-68
Station/Base: San Diego
Where are they now: Deployed to the Arabian Gulf
How many Deployments and Where: This is his first to the gulf region

Mother: Susan Skidmore
Siblings: PFC Clayton D Skidmore (US Army), now serving with the “Old Guard” (honor guard) at Arlington National Cemetery

Did your Service member attend school in Lassen County: Yes
Did your Service member play school sports in Lassen County: Football, Basketball, Soccer and Track
OTHER: Susanville FFA member and was also in 4-H

For more information on, and more pictures from, the Blue Star Moms, visit the Blue Star Moms category page, or click on the Blue Star Mothers banner near the top left of the page. 

To submit your stories and pictures, or if you just have something on your mind, use our handy submission form, or email your stuff to scott@lassensportsnetwork.com

Lassen Sports Network Soldier Photos
 

Name: Lane E. Morrow
Rank: Lance Corporal (Lcpl)
Branch: United States Marines
Age: 20
Company: 3^rd Battalion, 4^th Marines – Kilo Company – 3^rd Platoon
Station/Base: Twenty Nine Palms, California
Where are they now: Helmand Province, Southern Afghanistan
How many deployments and where to: 1^st deployment to Afghanistan
 
Family Members
Mother: Christine Boyd
Father: (Step-Father) Gene Boyd 
Freshman year 2004 – Senior 2007 
 
www.SoaringEagleBlueStarMoms.com
Lane (shirtless) in Afghanistan Click to enlarge

 The Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc. is a non-partisan, non-political organization. We do not support any political candidate, nor do we endorseany religious organization. The military represents all aspects of America
as does our organization.
We are mothers who now have, or have had, children honorably serving in the military. We are a non-profit (501[c]3) service organization supporting each other and our children while promoting patriotism.
U.S. Code: Title 36; Section 943

The purposes of the corporation shall be: to perpetuate the Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc., and the memory of all the men and women who have served our country as members of the Armed Forces; the further object of this organization shall be patriotic, educational, social, and for service; to maintain true allegiance to the Government of the United States; to educate our members and others not to divulge military, naval, or other Government information; to assist in veterans’ ceremonies; to attend patriotic rallies and meetings; to foster true democracy; to care for the unsupported mothers who gave their sons to the service of the Nation; to aid in bringing about recognition of the need of permanent civilian defense for each community and to ever be alert against invasion of un-American activities; to uphold the American institutions of freedom, justice, and equal rights, and to defend the United States from all enemies.

History of the Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc.
On January 22, 1942 the Flint News Advertiser printed a coupon asking Mothers of serviceman to return the coupon after filling it out. The
following February 1st 300 mothers met in the Durant Hotel, in Flint Michigan. Captain George H. Maines, who had conceived the idea for this group, acted as the chair of this first meeting. It was decided that after receiving 1000 responses from the ad to form a permanent organization.
On February 6th the organization was reported on Congressional record. Chapters then formed in Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, New York, Pennsylvania, Oregon, California, Iowa and Washington. In June of 1960 the organization was chartered by congress.
Mothers volunteered throughout the tough times of World War II. They worked in hospitals, train stations, packed care packages for soldiers and were an working part of homeland security during times our time of war.
The organization waned in size over the years but has held together by mothers showing pride in both their children and country.
In recent times we havebegan to grow in strength. Being attacked on our own soil has once again started mothers hanging flags in their windows at home proclaiming pride inthe fact that we have children protecting our freedom during at time of war Our organization not only provides support for active duty servicepersonnel, promotes patriotism, assists Veterans organizations, and are available to assist in homeland volunteer efforts to help our country remain strong.

Who Can Join Blue Star Mothers of America
A Mother or Stepmother (since the child was of the age of 13) who has a son or daughter who is serving, or has been honorably discharged from the Armed Forces of the United States. Services included are the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, National Guard, Reserve Units, and the Merchant Marines.

Blue Star Dads (associate member)
Blue Star Dads is in the process or reorganization. Dads we need you!! Until Dads are reorganized they should apply as an associate member. We do have Blue Star Dad Pins. A Father or Step Father (since the child was of the age of 13) who has a son or daughter who is serving, or has been honorably discharged from the Armed Forces of the United States. Services included are the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, National Guard, Reserve Units, and the Merchant Marines.
Blue Star Associates
A spouse, sister, brother, grandparent, aunt, uncle, cousin, or friend of someone who is serving, or has been honorably discharged from the Armed Forces of the United States. Services included are the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, National Guard, Reserve Units,and the Merchant Marines.

To Join the Soaring Eagle Blue Star Moms
1. Come to our meeting
2. Fill out a quick membership application
3. Pay the annual membership fee of $20.00
Or if you have not attended a meeting yet and would like to join the Soaring Eagle Blue Star Moms online
1. Go to www.BlueStarMothers.Org.
2. Click on Join Now
3. Enter email address
4. Enter CA 22 – Soaring Eagle Blue Star Moms
5. Pay online $20
6. Congratulations you are now an official Blue Star Mother and in a couple of hours you will have more access to the BlueStarMothers.Org website.
NOTE: Associate Members and Dads do not pay fees
*Membership is not required to attend meetings & projects*

The Soaring Eagle Blue Star Moms meet on the 3rd Tuesday of the month from 6 – 8 pm at:
Susanville Veterans Memorial Hall
1205 Main Street
Susanville, California (across the street from Lassen High School. Parking & meetings held in the back of the Hall.)

About the Service Flag
The Service flag is an official banner authorized by the Department of Defense for display by families who have members serving in the Armed Forces during any period of war or hostilities the United States may be engaged in for the duration of such hostilities.
The Service flag, also called the Blue Star Flag, was designed and patented by WWI Army Captain Robert L. Queisser of the 5th Ohio Infantry who had two sons serving on the front line. The flag quickly became the unofficial symbol of a child in service. President Wilson became part of this history when in 1918 he approved a suggestion made by the Women’s Committee of the Council of National Defenses that mothers who had lost a child serving in the war wear a gold gilt star on the traditional black mourning arm band.
This led to the tradition of covering the blue star with a gold star on the Service flag to indicate that the service member has died.
During WWII the practice of displaying the Service flag became much more widespread. Most flags were hand made by mothers across the nation. One of the most famous flags was that of the five Sullivan brothers who all perished on the U.S.S. Juneau.
The Blue Star Mothers was founded as a Veteran Service Organization and was part of a movement to provide care packages to military members serving overseas and also provided assistance to families who encountered hardships as a result of their son or husband serving in the war.

In 1960 Congress chartered the Blue Star Mothers of America as a Veterans Service Organization and in 1966, the Department of Defense revised the specifications for design, manufacture and display of the Service flag.

The Department of Defense specifies that family members authorized to display the flag include the wife, husband, mother, father, stepmother or father, parent through adoption, foster parents who stand or stood locoparentis, children, stepchildren, children through adoption, brothers,sisters and half brothers or sisters of a member of the Armed Forces of theUnited States. The flag should be displayed in a window of the residence of persons authorized.

The Service flag may also be displayed by an organization to honor the
members of that organization serving during a period of war or hostilities.
The Service Flag is an indoor flag and should be flown facing out from the front window of the home or organization.

If the U.S. flag is also displayed with the Service flag, the U.S. flag
should be of equal or greater proportions and should take the place of honor above the Service flag.
Each blue star on the flag represents a service member in active duty. A gold star is displayed if a service member is killed in action or dies in service. If several stars are displayed by one family the gold star takes
the honor of being placed at the top. The gold star should be slightly
smaller than the blue star to create a blue border surrounding the gold
star.
Display of a Service Star Banner is done during times of war. Once again families are displaying banners at home. Blue Star Flags may be purchased through the internet, at stores, or made by hand.

Flags may be purchased on the internet at ServiceFlags.com

To submit your stories and pictures, or if you just have something on your mind, use our handy submission form, or email your stuff to scott@lassensportsnetwork.com