Acceptance Speech, June 2008

I’m very proud and humbled to stand here as your new National President. It is such a great honor to follow in the footsteps of all the great ladies who have served before me over the last 80 years. I want to thank all of the Mothers who have given advice.

Some of you will remember Katherine Mannion and Mary Teater; they never missed a convention while the were with us. Katherine passed away a few years ago and Mary is with us in body only. Her Daughter tells me each day is new to her and that she is happy in her little world. I treasure the time I had with these wonderful women.

I would not be who I am today if it were not for Barbara Calfee my good and devoted friend. She has also been my mentor since we met in Miami many years ago.

To my husband Frank I thank you, for he too has given of his time and devotion to the Gold Star Mothers and he has helped me to fulfill all of my dreams. He is doing quite well and he insists that I continue to do what I think is best for the Gold Star Mothers.

I am looking forward to working with the new executive board. They are young and have many new and refreshing ideas. It will be this new generation who will bring new ideas to our beloved organization. You have already seen some of the changes, for
instance the new newsletter that we have been sending for the past few years. It was the brain child of the new members of the board and I am grateful for their many good ideas. It will be so important for each of us to work together, to be a T.E.A.M (together everyone achieves more). We all have one common goal and that is to make our beloved organization one of the best.

Our duty lies with those brave men and women who answered the nation’s call. As Mothers we will work to help all the veterans’ families.

We are America’s Gold Star Mothers it is our job to hold a hand, wipe a tear, listen to often repeated stories. It‘s our job to remember our sons and daughters, to remember their patriotism and sacrifice.

By giving our all, we too can go ABOVE AND BEYOND that will be my battle cry for the coming year.

God Bless each and every one of you and may God keep our troops safe and bring them home to their loving families.

Thank you,

Georgie Carter Krell
ABOVE AND BEYOND

Some biographical information about Georgie Carter Krell

On June 20, 2008 Georgianna Carter Krell became the National President of the American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. for the second time. She had previously served as National President for the year 2001-2002. As such she is dedicated to enhancing the organization’s commitment to perpetuate the memory of those who sacrificed their lives for their County and to aid men and women veterans wounded or incapacitated from our nation’s wars.

Krell, better known as Georgie, was born August 25, 1931 in Worcester, Massachusetts and raised in Bennington, Vermont. She has lived in Miami, Florida since 1963. Two of Georgie’s three children, Pamela Carter and Cheryle Nevins, and granddaughter Jessica Nevins, also reside in Florida. Georgie’s third child, Bruce Wayne Carter, gave his life for his country in Vietnam in 1963. Vice President Spiro Agnew posthumously awarded Bruce the Congressional Medal of Honor in 1972.

Georgie has been a member of American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. since 1976. She has served in each of the organization's required positions. Prior to taking office as National President, she held the posts of National Sergeant at Arms, National First and Second Vice president, and VAVS representative. She also served as President of the Miami Chapter No. One, and as President of the Department of Florida-Puerto Rico.

Georgie currently volunteers at the Miami Veterans Medical Center where she serves on numerous committees and works in the Medical Center’s nursing home. She launched the Silver Spoons feeding program at the center, enabling patients to increase their nutritional level and social interaction. The program has served as a model for other veterans centers throughout the nation.

Georgie has logged more than 6,500 volunteer hours over the past year tending those she calls the “almost forgotten.” In recognition of her service, the Department of Veterans Affairs selected Georgie as one of 39 volunteers profiled in a book entitled “Faces of a Grateful Nation, A Celebration of VA Volunteers.

Dynamic Cable named Georgie Outstanding Citizen in 1993. The City of North Miami Beach gave her a key to the city in 1995. The Miami Herald named her volunteer of the year in 1997, and JC Penney nominated Georgie for the Golden rule Award in 1996 and 1998.

Some Highlights of Past Activities

Rolling Thunder Ride, Memorial Day 2008

Moms get ready to "mount up". More...

Gold Star Mothers Memorial Dedication,
Kent, NY July 2, 2006

Peter Allegretta and the Putnam County Joint Veterans Council dedicate a memorial statue to all Gold Star Mothers.

Memorial Day activities & TAPS weekend seminar and grief camp
May 26 - 30 2006

Bikes line up before starting ride to Vietnam Memorial.

Remarks delivered by Ben Stein in Arlington, Virginia, at the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (Taps).

A Time of Remembrance was May 21, 2006

To bring together families of America’s fallen in Iraq and Afghanistan and honor the sacrifice they and their families have made. Washington Monument Grounds, Washington, DC. More...

Veterans Day was Nov 11, 2005

Performances by the Marine Band and unveiling of stamps of Distinguished Marines. More...

Gold Star Mothers Sunday was Sept 24 - 26, 2005

Ceremonies at the Vietnam Wall and the Tomb of the Unknowns. Visits with members of Congress. More...