Blue Star Mothers of Northern Virginia

05/02/2020

Arsenal of Democracy Flyover | WWII Victory Capitol Flyover

Arsenal of Democracy V-E Day 75th Anniversary Video Tribute Trailer

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Arsenal of Democracy (AOD), in conjunction with the WWII 75th Commemoration Committee, has released a trailer for its Victory in Europe (V-E) Day online video tribute, VICTORY IN EUROPE – VE DAY 75 YEARS LATER.

This video tribute is being written and produced by award-winning broadcast journalist David Hartman and renowned aviation production expert Scott Guyette, of Sleeping Dog Productions. The video will include interviews with WWII heroes Charles McGee, Bud Anderson, the late Bob Hoover, the late Dick Cole, “Rosie the Riveter” Connie Palacioz and many more. Additionally, a special tribute will be paid to the late Jimmy Doolittle. The video will also include historical battle footage and current day footage of aircraft involved in WWII European theater battles, provided courtesy of EAA Warbirds of America’s “Warbirds in Review”. This special production is being made possible, in part, by the support and participation of the Bob and Dolores Hope Foundation and the Friends of the National World War II Memorial.

VICTORY IN EUROPE – VE DAY 75 YEARS LATER will be broadcast on May 8, 2020, starting at 11:30 a.m. ET, when the Arsenal of Democracy Victory Commemoration WWII Flyover was originally scheduled to begin its aerial tribute over the National Mall. The video tribute will air on the AOD website (www.ww2flyover.org) and page (www.facebook.com/ww2flyover), and on the 75th WWII Commemoration website (www.75thwwiicommemoration.org). The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) will also be streaming the video tribute on defense.gov; overseas on AFN broadcast; and on the DOD’s Facebook (www.facebook.com/DeptofDefense) and Twitter (twitter.com/DeptofDefense) pages.

#75thWWIICommemoration
#ArsenalOfDemocracy

For more information about the Arsenal of Democracy events, please visit www.ww2flyover.org.

Given the increasing concerns and directives related to the coronavirus (COVID-19), the Arsenal of Democracy (AOD) Executive Planning Committee has rescheduled the AOD Victory Gala and Flyover commemorating the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II to September 24th-25th. View the Full 3.18.20...

05/01/2020

Blue Angels and Thunderbirds to soar above DC, Baltimore in tribute to essential workers

NEWS ALERT: The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and the Navy's Blue Angels will fly over D.C. Saturday to salute health care workers and first responders battling the coronavirus pandemic.

The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and the Navy’s Blue Angels will conduct a flyover through D.C. and Baltimore to salute first responders battling the coronavirus.

05/01/2020

Today is the first day of National Military Appreciation Month 2020

National Military Appreciation Month (NMAM) is celebrated every May and is a declaration that encourages U.S. citizens to observe the month in a symbol of unity. NMAM honors the current and former members of the U.S. Armed Forces, including those who have died in the pursuit of freedom. The month of May is characterized by six national observances which highlight the contributions of those who have served.

Today is Loyalty Day, Friday, May 1st, 2020
Loyalty Day kicks off our Nation’s month-long celebration of military appreciation. It is a day set aside for the reaffirmation of loyalty to the United States, and to reflect on the proud heritage of our American freedom.

#NMAM
#LoyaltyDay

04/21/2020

Today kicks off National Volunteer Week!!
Did you know that National Volunteer Week began in 1974 as a way to recognize and celebrate the efforts of volunteers. Since then, the original emphasis on celebration has widened; the week has become a nationwide effort to urge people to get out and volunteer in their communities.

#Volunteer
#ServiceToCommunity
#ThankYouVolunteers

04/21/2020

Dr. J.D. Crouch, II

USO CEO, JD Crouch kicked-off National Volunteer week today to thank and honor all our volunteers for their service!

https://animoto.com/play/ttsNgm0y6sM0iyczJELobw

#USO
#NationalVolunteerWeek

National Volunteer Week Greeting

04/17/2020

Fans and Patrons of Mission BBQ

Hi all....

Did you know the USO Dulles International Airport IAD Lounge is open 16 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. We all know that, but have you ever given much thought to the volunteers who staff the Lounge on the weekend 6:00 am – 9:00 am and 6:00pm – 10:00pm shifts. Most likely not, unless you are one of the 29 IAD volunteers whose permanent/recurring shifts are 6:00 am – 9:00 am on Saturday/Sunday and 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm Saturday/Sunday.

Please join me in thanking the following IAD volunteers who cheerfully open and close the Lounge on the weekends: George Brock, Eletta Fouche, Donald Schubring, Lynne Hicks, Eric Morrisette, Renee Morrisette, Sharon Hughes, Doug Weller, Vicki Harris, Jim Burgess, Karen Belle, Rahamat Ayewa, Allen Wild, Terri Otero, Herbert Valle, Joanne Acree, Bill Acree, Kristi Skain, Keri Youngner, Debbie Reaney-Perkins, Bill Dwyer, Megan Greathouse, Dana Clark, Diana Philyaw, Denise Manos, Serena Wang, Debbie Corbett, Joyce Doughty & Lois Bostain.

Thank you for putting out the American Flag and bringing it back into the Lounge, turning on/off the monitors, making/emptying the coffee, restocking, cleaning the floors, and all the other extra responsibilities of the 6:00 am- 9:00am and 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm shifts; but an extra thank you for doing it on the weekends.

#USOMetroDullesLounge
#MissionCaringComfortConnectionSupport

Hi all....

Did you know the USO Dulles International Airport IAD Lounge is open 16 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. We all know that, but have you ever given much thought to the volunteers who staff the Lounge on the weekend 6:00 am – 9:00 am and 6:00pm – 10:00pm shifts. Most likely not, unless you are one of the 29 IAD volunteers whose permanent/recurring shifts are 6:00 am – 9:00 am on Saturday/Sunday and 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm Saturday/Sunday.

Please join me in thanking the following IAD volunteers who cheerfully open and close the Lounge on the weekends: George Brock, Eletta Fouche, Donald Schubring, Lynne Hicks, Eric Morrisette, Renee Morrisette, Sharon Hughes, Doug Weller, Vicki Harris, Jim Burgess, Karen Belle, Rahamat Ayewa, Allen Wild, Terri Otero, Herbert Valle, Joanne Acree, Bill Acree, Kristi Skain, Keri Youngner, Debbie Reaney-Perkins, Bill Dwyer, Megan Greathouse, Dana Clark, Diana Philyaw, Denise Manos, Serena Wang, Debbie Corbett, Joyce Doughty & Lois Bostain.

Thank you for putting out the American Flag and bringing it back into the Lounge, turning on/off the monitors, making/emptying the coffee, restocking, cleaning the floors, and all the other extra responsibilities of the 6:00 am- 9:00am and 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm shifts; but an extra thank you for doing it on the weekends.

#USOMetroDullesLounge
#MissionCaringComfortConnectionSupport

04/06/2020

Gold Star wife driven to shape policy, give back

April 5 is Gold Star Spouses Day -- a solemn reminder of all the military men and women who lost their lives and the loved ones they left behind.

As a Gold Star wife, Ursula persevered through the pain. Serving as the vice president for the Gold Star Wives of America Arlington chapter, and as a Capitol Hill fellow, she is determined to be a voice for all service members, veterans, and military families.

Read more at: https://go.usa.gov/xvgTj

#GoldStarSpousesDay
#ArmyFamily
#NeverForgotten

Gold Star wife driven to shape U.S. policy, give back

04/06/2020

Ready for the run on this beautiful, chilly moon-lit morning!
#GodBlessAmerica
#GodBlessOurMilitary

04/05/2020

Dedicated Shopping Times for Senior Citizens

Author NVRC eNews
Published on March 26, 2020

ALDI stores Tuesdays and Thursdays open at 8:30 a.m. and reserve the first hour of business for vulnerable shoppers.
Latest ALDI Update (March 25, 2020)Opens in a new window

BJ’s Wholesale Clubs 8:00-9:00AM everyday
Costco 8:00-9:00AM on Tuesdays and Thursdays https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2020/03/23/coronavirus-costco-senior-shopping-tuesdays-thursdays/2904993001/Opens in a new window

Sam’s Club 7:00-9:00AM on Tuesdays and Thursdays
Giant Food 6:00AM-7:00AM everyday for Senior Citizens over the age of 60and persons with compromised immune systems https://giantfood.com/news-and-media/article-3-18-20/Opens in a new window

Harris Teeter 6:00AM-7:00AM every Monday and Thursday https://www.harristeeter.com/harris-teeter-response-to-covid-19Opens in a new window

Safeway 7:00AM-9:00AM on Tuesday and Thursdays and other at-risk populations including pregnant women and those with compromised immune systems https://www.safeway.com/faq/covid-19-faq.htmlOpens in a new window

Walmart From March 24 through April 28 Dedicated Shopping Times for seniors over the age of 60have been implemented on Tuesdays,which will start one hour before stores are scheduled to open

Target The first hour of business each Wednesday morning will be dedicatedto the elderly and most vulnerable members of society

Trader Joe’s 8:00 - 9:00AM daily https://www.kxan.com/news/coronavirus/trader-joes-becomes-latest-grocery-store-with-senior-specific-shopping-times/Opens in a new window

Walgrens 8:00-9:00AM on Tuesdays

Walmart
Every Tuesday one hour before the store opens Shopping for one hour

Wegmans https://www.wegmans.com/news-media/press-releases/wegmans-response-to-covid-19-2/Opens in a new window
No dedicated shopping times for Senior Citizens

Whole Foods
The first hour of each business day will be reserved for older customers.

DISCLAIMER: This information is shared by Loudoun County VFW Post 1177 for the benefit of veterans, service-members and their families. The information is provided by a third-party. VFW Post 1177 has no direct responsibility with outside organizations.

03/29/2020

Today is National Vietnam War Veterans Day.

The Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act, signed into law in 2017, designates March 29 of each year as National Vietnam War Veterans Day.

Let’s us remember and recognize those who served.

#NationalVietnamWarVeteransDay

03/20/2020

In Stitches Sewing and Design

Any sewing experts?

Here it is——how to make a cotton face mask!
Information at the end of the video on how to get these to us. There is a quick deadline to make sure these get to those in need ASAP! *****Sunday 3/22 at our shop noon-1 my husband will be collecting masks outside and we can get them where they need to be!

During this tough time for all of us it makes us all feel good to do one nice thing, have yours be 1 mask. 1 mask will make a difference!!!

Thank you all for your continued support during this time ❤️our sewing skills have really made a difference these past few months and that feels good!

Materials-
Cotton fabric (you can use pillow cases or sheets around the house)
1/4 flat elastic

Measurements-
Mask-cut 6”x 9”
Elastic-cut 7”

Here’s how these masks will be used-

Like most hospitals, Boston hospital nurses are nearing the end of their supply of N95 masks. In response, they're rationing the distribution of remaining masks to nurses (e.g., giving only 1 to each nurse and asking them to make them last as long as possible). Hand-sewn cotton masks being donated by the public can be used as covers over the N95s and washed by the nurses after shifts. This helps protect the N95s from the virus...and helping protect nurses and patients for longer. Also another fact- CDC recommends using home made masks if you run out when caring for patients that require surgical masks, not n95s ...to think that these masks won’t be used just isn’t true! ❤️❤️

This is straight from the group we will be donating to and they will get them to the hospitals.

03/04/2020

On this day in 1931: The Star-Spangled Banner, written by Francis Scott Key during the War of 1812, was officially adopted as the national anthem of the United States by act of Congress.
#NationalAnthem
#StarSpangledBanner

02/23/2020

What an absolutely awesome day at the museum. We saw the first flag raised at IWO JIMA for the first time yesterday at the National Museum of the Marine Corps.
Seeing both flags together... very humbling. Walking through the museum, she even had the opportunity to meet several Iwo Jima veterans who served in 3rdMarDiv!!! Yes!!!

But none of that compares to being one of the lucky 350 other guests to hear our beloved Medal of Honor (MOH) recipient Cpl Woody Williams speak. He spoke for 50 minutes about his experiences at Iwo Jima. The theatre and audience were quiet as Col Williams shared his story.
Much respect.

#SemperFidelis
#MOHWilliams
#IwoJima75thAnniversary

Photos and story courtesy @TrishManghelli

02/23/2020

February 14, 2020
A Certificate of Appreciation was presented to the Academy of the Holy Cross Basketball Team for the toiletries donation they collected for Blue Star Mothers monthly care package to deployed service members.

#BlueStarMothersCarePackages
#HolyCrossBasketballDonation
#CertificateOfAppreciation

02/23/2020

Blue Star Mothers honors our Gold Star Mothers.

#BlueHonorsGold
#Sacrifice
#Service
#Patriotism

02/19/2020

Bless you all!

Today we honor the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima -- a testament to the courage and commitment of the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Navy. Known as Operation Detachment, the intent of the mission was to capture the Japanese Volcano Island to use as a staging area for offensive operations.

The iconic image, captured by Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal, of six Marines raising the second American flag at Iwo Jima occurred on February 23, 1945, signifying the conclusion of the American campaign in the Pacific during World War II.

The epic battle produced 27 Medal of Honor Recipients. The Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima Memorial) was dedicated on November 10, 1954. The U.S. Navy also commissioned two ships with the name USS Iwo Jima (LPH-2) and USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7).

Lest We Forget!

02/17/2020

George Washington's Birthday or Presidents Day?

Good morning all! It is Washington’s Birthday!

"Presidents' Day"? The Truth Behind the Holiday

In 1879, the United States made Washington's February 22nd Birthday a federal holiday. Today, the third Monday in February is frequently referred to as "Presidents' Day." So which is it? We get to the bottom of what's official and what's not.

#WashingtonsBirthday

http://www.mountvernon.org/george-washington/facts/the-truth-about-presidents-day/

Read all about President's Day and the truth behind the holiday.

02/12/2020

Huge thank you to Iron Net Cybersecurity and Best Corporate Events for the 300 care packages 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

#NetCyberSecurityBestCorporateEvent
#CarePackages

01/02/2020

14th Air Force Redesignated as Space Operations Command - Air Force Magazine

14th Air Force Redesignated as Space Operations Command
Dec. 30, 2019 | By Amy McCullough

Air Force Secretary Barbara Barrett redesignated 14th Air Force as Space Operations Command following the Dec. 20 establishment of US Space Force as the sixth military service.

#USSpaceOperationsCommande
#14thAirForce

https://www.airforcemag.com/14th-air-force-redesignated-as-space-operations-command/

Air Force Secretary Barbara Barrett redesignated 14th Air Force as Space Operations Command following the establishment of US Space Force.

01/01/2020

Act now and prevent veteran suicide. Start the New Year 2020 on the right track. Are you a veteran in crisis or know one who is? Call 1-800-273-8255 (x1)x text 838255.
#SupportVeterans

12/31/2019

On behalf of Blue Star Mothers of Northern Virginia officers and staff, I would like to wish everyone and your families a very Happy New Year! May the New Year bring you happiness, peace, and prosperity. Wishing you a joyous 2020!

#NewYear2020

12/31/2019

American Gold Star Mothers, National (Official)

12/29/2019

Raleigh native, 1st female member of American Legion celebrates 100th birthday

Raleigh native, 1st female member of American Legion celebrates 100th birthday
#FirstFemaleAmericanLegionnaire

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN)– The first female member of the American Legion is celebrating her 100th birthday this week. Anne Capucille is a Raleigh native. She fought in Pearl Harbor and worked her…

12/25/2019

On behalf of Blue Star Mothers of Northern Virginia officers and staff, I would like to wish everyone and your families a very Happy Holiday.

May 2020 bring joy and happiness to

#HappyHoliday

12/14/2019

Wreaths Across America - Official Page

Where are you honoring veterans and playing a part today? #PlayAPart2019

12/14/2019

Wreaths Across America - Official Page

Where are you honoring veterans and playing a part today? #PlayAPart2019

12/14/2019

MISSION BBQ

MISSION BBQ

A GOLD STAR MOM REMEMBERS
Sgt Thomas J. Butler died serving Our Country in Afghanistan. His Mom, Leslie Butler, believes healing starts by saying the names of all who've given all.

12/14/2019

Fans and Patrons of Mission BBQ

Friday, December 13, 2019:
Military Appreciation night at the new Mission BBQ in Herndon, Virginia.

#MilitaryAppreciation
#MissionBBQ

Photos courtesy of Herbert Valle