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🦃🍁 Thanksgiving Reflections: Honoring American Gold Star Mothers 🍁🦃 As we enter the holiday season, many families look forward to gathering around the table—sharing stories, laughter, and traditions. But for American Gold Star Mothers approaching their centennial in 2028, the holidays also bring a profound reminder of the empty chair where a beloved son or daughter should be. This Thanksgiving, we pause to honor the mothers who feel that void so deeply. Their courage in the face of unimaginable loss, their continued service to others, and their enduring love for their fallen heroes remind others of the true meaning of gratitude. 🍂 Wishing all Gold Star Mothers moments of peace, comfort, and warm memories this Thanksgiving. 🍂 #GoldStarMothers #ThankfulForOurHeroes #TheEmptyChair #RememberTheFallen #AGSM #HolidayRemembrance #CentennialSunday 
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Veterans Day with RecruitsDepartment: New Mexico Chapter: Albuquerque Gold Star Mothers from the Albuquerque, NM AGSM Chapter attended Veterans Day ceremonies at the Albuquerque Veterans Memorial Park on November 11. Pictured are Jo Ann Zembiec and Shirley Tetreault with the seven new military recruits who took their oath that day. Jo Ann and Shirley presented each with an angel coin to carry in their pocket.  Towson University Military Appreciation Football Game Towson, Maryland November 8, 2025Department: Martyland/Delaware Chapter: Maryland Maryland Gold Star Mothers Tracy Miller, Joy Goode, and Khadidja Keita, along with their guests, attended Towson University’s Military Appreciation Football Game on Saturday, November 8, 2025. The event honored the Fallen Tigers: • Sergeant Major Wardell Turner, whose legacy lives on through the Wardell Turner Scholarship Endowment • Major Robert Marchanti, honored through the Robert J. Marchanti Endowed Scholarship • First Lieutenant James Saxon, remembered through the James R. Saxon Memorial Scholarship  All three men were Towson University student-athletes who later made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the United States Military. Following the Fallen Tigers Scholarship Reception, Gold Star Families enjoyed the football game from The Minnegan Room at Johnny Unitas Stadium as the Towson Tigers hosted the Villanova Wildcats. Unfortunately, the Tigers fell to the Wildcats, but it remained a meaningful day of remembrance and honor for our heroes. Dedication of Gold Star PlaqueDepartment: New Mexico Chapter: Albuquerque On November 12, 2025, a Gold Star Marker was placed and dedicated in Albuquerque beside the Blue Star Marker, at the Albuquerque Garden Center. Pictured at the ceremony are GEN Jameson Herrera (Ret) Secretary of the Department of Veteran Services for NM, Gold Star Mother Shirley Tetreault and Gold Star Mother Jo Ann Zembiec and Tom Tozier, VA Representative for the City of Albuquerque. Shirley and Jo Ann are members of AGSM Albuquerque Chapter. Shirley is the State Coordinator for the Blue and Gold Plaques and Markers. The Albuquerque Chapter has helped sponsor several Gold Star Markers and plaques across New Mexico, helping to bring awareness of Gold Star Mothers and Families.  Adaptive Athletics Foundation of Maryland (AAFMD) 2nd Annual for Purpose Benefit Gala Edgewater, Maryland November 7, 2025Department: Maryland/Delaware Chapter: Maryland
Winterhaven Homeless Veterans Stand Down VA Medical Center Washington, DC November 1, 2025Department: Maryland/Delaware Chapter: Maryland
 Christmas tree trimmingDepartment: Florida/ Puerto Rico Chapter: Tampa Bay
 Tarrant County Texas Proclamation-September Gold Star Mothers Day September 28Department: Texas/Oklahoma Chapter: North/West Chapter
Veterans Day is an annual U.S. public holiday observed on November 11 to honor those who have served in the United States Armed Forces. It was originally called Armistice Day to commemorate the end of World War I, with the name changed to Veterans Day in 1954 to include all veterans. Veterans Day is distinct from Memorial Day, a U.S. public holiday in May: Veterans Day commemorates the service of all U.S. veterans, while the older Memorial Day, which grew out of Civil War commemorations, specifically honors those who have died while in military service. Another military holiday that also occurs in May, Armed Forces Day, honors those currently serving in the U.S. military. Additionally, Women Veterans Day is recognized by a growing number of U.S. states that specifically honor women who have served in the U.S. military.   Happy Birthday to the United States Marine Corps! The corps' official birthday is November 10, 1775, and it celebrates its legacy of honor, courage, and commitment on that date each year. This date honors the founding of the Continental Marines by the Second Continental Congress.
Shine and Serve at the "Warrior Walk" 2025Department: FL-PR Chapter: Tampa Bay AGSM, Inc. Tampa Bay Chapter member, Aileen Payne, knows what it means to serve and the unexpected blessings that often come back to you for serving others. Each year the "Warrior Walk" is held at beautiful Lake Hollingsworth, Lakeland , FL. Since 2008, Aileen has helped with the walk in one capacity or another, serving where needed most. Currently, she is the co-director of the “Warrior Walk”, attended by a thousand plus participants. In the photo, she helped set up the field of white crosses of the more than 400 Florida OIF and OEF Fallen Service members, including her own beloved son, USMC Cpl. Ronald R. Payne, JR, KIA May 5, 2004, OEF AFGH. Also volunteering alongside of her are the Mulberry HS, JROTC. Aileen’s own son, Ronnie, was a JROTC cadet at the very same HS back in 1998 and 1999. Truly a blessing and honor for Aileen to be able to volunteer with them. Also serving at the “Warrior Walk” with Aileen are AGSM, Inc. Dept of FL-PR President, Lorrie Fleming, and past AGSM, Inc. Dept President, Michele Carey. Way to "shine and serve” AGSM, Inc. Tampa Bay Members.
 Did you know....Becky Christmas Did you know that Gold Star Mothers were instrumental in establishing the Tomb of the Unknown in Arlington National Cemetery? Many of the WWI Allied countries had paid tribute to an unidentified soldier who gave his life in WWI in this similar way. America followed this lead but the Gold Star Mothers helped make it happen. On the morning of November 11, 1921, the casket of the Unknown Soldier left the Capitol Rotunda and was taken to the Memorial Amphitheater in Arlington National Cemetery. Following a solemn ceremony, the coffin was committed to the sarcophagus.  2025 VAVS Annual Joint Review, in good standing with our VAHCSDepartment: FL-PR Chapter: Tampa Bay  Two local chapters of AGSM, Inc., the Gulf Coast and the Tampa Bay Chapters, teamed up and attended their 2025 VAVS/CDCE Annual Joint Review, October 8. As VAVS Representatives and Deputy Representatives, this is an important part of our commitment to serving veterans as members of the VAVS/CDCE program within the VA Health Care System. Jean Ufallusy and Tiphane Downs, both members of the Gulf Coast Chapter and Toni Gross, Tampa Bay Chapter, met with VAVS/CDCE Chief Staff, Mr. Navarro, to review the AJR for their volunteerism at James A. Haley VA Hospital, Tampa, FL. I'm quoting Mr. Navarro, "AGSM, Inc. CRUSHED the American Legion, VFW, and DAR with our 2025 numbers". While this is not a competition, it does go to show that we AGSM, Inc. members can make an impact in the lives of our veterans, as we faithfully serve at our VA Hospitals, CBOCs and Fisher Houses. We were pleasantly surprised with his comment. In this photo, VAVS/CDCE Chief Staff, Mr. Navarro is presenting AGSM, Inc. members Jean and Tiphane with VAVS service pins. Gulf Coast and Tampa Bay chapters team up together often to serve bc we are focused on our mission...HONORING THROUGH SERVICE" |
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