Fund Raiser for Ibi Semper Training, Inc.Carrie A Farley Department: NY Chapter: Albany Albany Chapter Member Kim Vandenburg, decided in honor of her son SGT. Nathan Higginbotham, do a Celebration of life for his 10th. Angelversary she would raise money for a local organization Ibi Semper Training, Inc. a amazing organization who trains service dogs for Veterans in need. With support from many local people in the community she was able to give them $1,500.00.  Sweets and Valentines for VeteransToni Gross Department: FL-PR Chapter: Tampa Bay American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. National President and Tampa Bay Chapter Member, Annette Kirk, teamed up with Toni Gross at the Veterans Council of Hillsborough County meeting, 1.26.2026. Annette and Toni baked and served valentine cupcakes during the social hour time. Both have been members of the council for 13 years plus each, a combined membership of at least 30 years, baking and serving cookies and such before each monthly meeting. Amazingly, when the Council Treasurer snapped this photo, it was not known that the Woody Williams Gold Star Family Memorial Monument was in the photo. Annette and Toni served over 50 "sweet" and hungry veterans a baked treat in an effort to thank them and wish them Happy Valentine's Day. 
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Department: Virginia Chapter: Hampton Roads Woody Williams Award PresentationMona Gunn (Past Presidents Nat'l., Dept. & Chapter) was presented the Legacy of Honor Award for the Woody WIlliams Foundation on 1-10-26 at the Chapter meeting. Presenting the award to Mona is Angela Bell, Chapter and Department Presidents.  Department: Tennessee Chapter: Volunteer Wreaths Across America East Tennessee Veterans Cemetery Knoxville, TennesseeKelly Swanson represented the Volunteer chapter of the American Gold Star Mothers during the Wreaths Across America event at East Tennessee Veterans Cemetery. Kelly was assisted by sweet friends of Sherrie McGhee. There was a wonderful ceremony followed by Amazing Grace played on bagpipes. It was a beautiful day to Honor and Remember our very special Veterans who served, and to those who gave their lives for this beautiful country.
Christmas Presents to Ben Atchley Veterans Home Ben Atchley Veterans Home Knoxville, TNThe Volunteer Chapter of Tennessee delivered Christmas presents to ten Veterans residing in the Ben Atchley Veterans Home in Knoxville, TN. Each year the Volunteer Chapter adopt ten veterans to receive Christmas gifts! Kelly Swanson, Sherrie McGhee, and Lynn and Jay Forehand delivered the gifts on behalf of the chapter.  Department: Maryland/Delaware Chapter: Maryland Garrison Forest Veterans Cemetery Wreaths Across America (WAA) Ceremony Owings Mills, MD Garrison Forest Veterans Cemetery held their annual Wreaths Across America ceremony on the official National WAA Day, December 13, 2025. Mrs. Diana and Roger Emerson US Navy Veteran, WAA Location Coordinators for the Garrison Forest cemetery, served as the Masters of Ceremonies. The Franklin High School JROTC presented Colors and Cadet Ariana Murphy, Air Civil Patrol sang the National Anthem. Jesse Mixon US Navy Veteran Chaplain led in a moment of silence. The Emerson’s along with Baltimore County Councilman Pat Young USMC Veteran gave inspirational messages that was followed by the wreath laying ceremony. A veteran from every branch of the Armed Forces placed a wreath during the ceremony. At the end of the ceremony TAPS was played by Chaplain Mixon. The ceremony was well attended by family and hundreds of volunteers. Gold Star Mother Janice Chance represented the Maryland Chapter. Prior to placing the wreaths instructions were provided by Mrs. Emerson. The volunteers were reminded to speak the veterans’ name aloud, thank them for their service and reflect on the veteran’s life. Janice joined the volunteers who worked together to place the 5,100 donated wreaths throughout the cemetery to honor our veterans. Janice also had the honor to place a wreath on the grave of her late father Harry Matthews US Navy WWII veteran and her late uncle Kenneth Matthews US Army Korean war Veteran. Although it was cold day it did not hinder the goal of placement of the wreaths on the graves of our heroes. The Maryland Chapter donated wreaths to Garrison Forest, and to all the Maryland Veterans Cemeteries. They also donated wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery and Dulaney Valley Memorial Cemetery.
Marsha held many positions and was President of Chapter 15 for a few years. She then continued to be Vice President after. We hold our chapter meetings in a church she was a member of. Marsha does not like computers. Her husband William became her secretary. As her years of being AGSM, Marsha planned bingo games and pizza lunches for our veterans at the Syracuse NY Veterans Center. She also attended and donated many items for our Women Veterans baby showers. Participated in many Memorial ceremonies for our fallen veterans. Laying wreaths not only for her son but for all our fallen Heroes. Due to health reasons in May 2025,Marsha and William moved to Virginia to be closer to their sons and family. She will continue as a member of our chapter. William keeps us updated on how they are doing. They both left a big impact on us here in NY.
Love and hugs and prayers to our Sweet Marsha and William. Texas Veterans Hall of Fame's 7th Annual Induction CeremonyDepartment: TX-OK Department Chapter: North/West TX Chapter 7th Annual Texas Veterans Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on November 08, 2025 to honor our heroes & veterans. Awards given to the following from the TX/OK North West Chapter. TVHOF Lonestar Merit Award -Carla Wicks, Member of the American Gold Star Mothers. TVHOF Gold Star Award Nathan Ingram Family -Kristi & Danny Hughes  Veterans Day Ceremony Gatlinburg Convention Center Gatlinburg, Tennessee November 11, 2025Department: Tennessee Chapter: Volunteer
Honoring Women Veterans LuncheonDepartment: Virginia Chapter: Hampton Roads The Chapter presented a luncheon and giveaways to 40 Women Veterans in the Hampton Roads, Virginia area on Saturday 11/15/25 at one of the GS Mom's church. Mission BBQ provided the food. The Chapter provided the decorations, desserts, giveaway goodies including Chapter fleece blankets and goody bags donated by United Way. Chapter included gift cards in each bag. So many Thank Yous were received by the Veterans. A successful mission. 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
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.
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