Blue Star Mothers of America

The law also expands membership to mothers whose children have served more recently by removing references to specific conflicts.

It also expands membership to eligible mothers living outside of the U.S.[2] The group holds a congressional charter[3] under Title 36 of the United States Code Retired Army Capt.

George H. Maines conceived the idea for the Blue Star Mothers after a conversation with General John Pershing.

This meeting was reported in the Flint Journal on February 2, 1942. Corrections posted by Kathy Barnes, PDP, Keeper of the History, Dept.

That same year, chapters quickly formed in Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, Oregon, Iowa, Washington, California, Pennsylvania, and New York.

The Blue Star Mothers' original goals were to bring their sons home, to ensure they received the benefits they deserved, help service members' families, help each other and to be there if something happened.

Both Bills passed and on December 13, 2012, President Obama signed the Act and the eligibility for membership was expanded to include grandmothers, foster mothers, stepmothers, and female legal guardians.

Just as when it was founded, the Blue Star Mothers continues to concentrate on providing emotional support to its members, providing support to active military troops, doing volunteer work with veterans in general and veterans' hospitals in particular, and fostering a sense of patriotism and respect for members of the Armed Forces.

They work in physical and emotional rehabilitation, help with medical supplies, transportation, food, clothing and friendship, gratitude and love.