I maneuvered through the chairs and asked him if I could put the pin on his shirt. He looked a little
confused, like he didn’t realize what was happening. I told him it was my honor to place the pin on his shirt and welcome him home. At that point I saw a little glimmer of pride in his eyes. After the ceremony everyone walked across the roadway where lunch was being served. As I walked up to the end of the line, I
noticed an emblem on the jacket of a man waiting in line. It was of the 173 rd Airborne Brigade. The same
brigade my son Devin had been with when he parachuted into Iraq on March 20, 2003. Of course, I wanted
to speak with this man because of my interest in his patch. I touched the man on the arm to get his
attention. When he turned around, I realized it was the same Veteran I had pinned just minutes before. A
chill went up my spine and goosebumps developed on the back of my neck. God put this veteran in my
path that day. We visited for quite some time, and I learned so much more about the history of the “Sky
Soldiers”.
​
Who would have thought I would receive a blessing by going to a Vietnam Ceremony?

Karen Alexander
American Gold Star Mother – Albuquerque Chapter

AGSM, Inc. Tampa Bay also hosted a Christmas Cookie and Treats Table at the Fisher House at Lake Nona, Orlando VA Medical Health Care System. Volunteering at this Fisher House is part of the AGSM, Inc. Dept of FL-PR's vision and mission to serve at all seven of the Fisher Houses in the great state of Florida. All this would not be possible without the vision of the Fisher House founders, Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher.   Many thanks to Fisher House community partners, Operation Patriot Support, and the Fisher House Foundation. 
In February, at the Veterans Council of Hillsborough County, FL., Inc., the Tampa Bay Chapter served cupcakes and kisses, Hershey Kisses, to the veterans in attendance. Needless to say, it was a sweet, sweet event for those who enjoyed the cupcakes and the kisses....the chocolate ones, that is!

Submitted by Toni Gross
AGSM, Inc., Tampa Bay 
VAVS CDCE Chairman

The National Capital Chefs Association (NCCA) sponsored a charity golf tournament once again at the Crofton Country Club in Crofton, Maryland.  The Warrior Events organization was the benefactor of the charity tournament.  Mr. John O’Leary, Founder/ Chief Motivational Officer and Mr. Bob Saunders, Chief Caring Officer, for the Warrior Events organization invited Maryland Chapter Gold Star Mothers to volunteer.  Janice Chance, Stephanie White and Donna Robinson represented the MD Chapter. Gold Star Spouse Kathy Thorp also joined the Warrior Events leaders Mr. O’Leary, Mr. Saunders, Mark Humphries, Mr. Greg Sharpe, Chairman NCCA and other volunteers. The moms and Kathy assisted with preparing swag bags, greeting and checking in golfers and selling raffle tickets.   After Mr. Humphries thanked the golfers for their support and provided information about the Warrior Events Organization, Chaplain Janice Chance briefly shared about the Gold Star Mothers organization, the service of the MD Chapter and about her hero. Donna, Stephanie and Kathy were also given the opportunity to share about their hero.  Janice said a prayer prior to the golfers being given the signal to start the tournament. There were approximately 125 golfers who participated in the tournament.  It was another successful tournament.