Saddleback Valley Chapter

We come from different backgrounds, different likes, different dislikes, different cultures, and different faiths. We all have one thing in common and that is to keep our children's names and memories alive, even though they are no longer with us in life.

The Saddleback Valley Chapter of American Gold Star Mothers supports so many different organizations, like "Wounded Warriors", "Cooling Vests", "Operation Gratitude", "Fisher House", "Honor Flights", Saddleback Valley Chapter Cookbook of our children's favorite foods, and our very own "Blanket Project"! We make and send our blankets to our military in German Hospitals, Walter Reed Medical Center, Iraq and we will be sending some with our WWII Vets on their "Honor Flights" to Washington D.C.

Our first alliance is to each Gold Star Mother that we encounter. We are there for support and encouragement on our new found journey.

Please join us on the second Saturday of each month for lunch, support and the sharing of stories of our children. The time and place may change, but we will notify each of you through email, regular mail or our Web-Site.

Dept of So CA-HI elects new officers.

Front row (L to R)
Evelyn Dean (LB), Linda Ferrara (SV), Sandra Aceves (LB), Kitty LaPolla
(V.O.), Kathleen Chappell (LB), Bette Freeman (SV)

 Back row (L to R)
Martha Garcia (LB), Debi Win'E (SV), Ann Almryde (SD), Jane Bright (V.O.),
Monna Mann (LB), Elaine Krepp (SV), Cathie Santee (SV), Kim Creed (IE),
Sally Monsoor (SV), Colleen Gray (V.O.), Lynn Klasno (IE), Vicki Castro
(IE), Sue Pollard (SV)

Upcoming Events

May Events

• May Calendar
• May 6, 2012 - Memorial Garden Tour, Sunday, May 6th 10:00am to 5:00pm (Rain or Shine) Hopefully Shine!
  
  Spring is just around the corner and you know what that means! The 2012 Memorial Garden Tour is just around the corner so mark your calendars and alert your friends and family!
  
  This is an annual self-guided tour.The Cole William Larsen Foundation is a California non-profit 501c(3) charity that continues to support families of fallen and wounded military.
  
  While we ask you to give as generously as you can, no price will ever be put on viewing these incredible gardens.
  
  Your FREE garden tour programs with garden addresses will be available for download from our website on April 10th
  
  To get yours you can:
  
  download it from our site on or after April 10th go to one of our sponsoring nurseries
  sign up on our mailing list on or before March 13th and we will put it in the "snail mail".
  
  For further information on how our tour works please visit our website at www.memorialgardentour.com or call Christi Larsen 661-433-9141.
• May 18, 2012 - Seven Stars Foundation Memorial Golf Tournament Supporting the Children of Fallen or Wounded Military
  
  More...
• May 25, 2012, Friday - Memorial Day Ceremony, 11:00 - Noon, at the American Gold Star Manor, 3021 Gold Star Dr, Long Beach.
  
  Please RSVP to (562) 426-7651 OR tgeiling@goldstarmanor.org if you plan to attend!

September Events

Fundraiser to Benefit Operation Gratitude & Wounded Warriors, Sept 12, 2012

More...

Past Events

Lunch in Visalia on Saturday, May 5, 2012.

Gold Star Mothers gathered for lunch in Visalia on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
Pictured are: Sue (Saddleback Valley), Jenn (Visalia), Elaine (Saddleback Valley),
Lynn (Inland Empire), Lydia (Visalia), Vicki (Inland Empire). We are trying to
get a new chapter up and going in the San Joaquin Valley area!

Run for the Wall April 14, 2012.

The Run for the Wall event recognized Gold Star Moms Gail A. Johnson-Roth
and Sandra Aceves. Each was given the microphone to talk about her son.
Several of the bikers came up after and to give big hugs. These bikers were
way cool and left Gail's Vietnam Vet husband wanting for his Harley that
he sold. Wish we had taken a picture of the bikers; rough on the outside
(most vets) but pussycats inside!

Opening Day Ceremony at Anaheim Stadium, April 6, holding the U.S. Flag

The flag is 75 feet by 150 feet, as long as a 15-story building is tall, spread horizontally. The flag is held by 350 - 500 participants.  We had 6 Gold Star Families attending this event at Anaheim Stadium on opening day.  It took 1.5 hours to put together and approximately 17 minutes to take apart. (If everyone helps!)

Left to Right Debi Win'E, Sue Pollard, Kim Creed.

Sue's husband, Bill Pollard just waiting!

SoCal moms from Saddleback Valley, San Diego and Inland Empire chapters travel to San Francisco to attend the swearing in of the San Jose chapter by AGSM President Norma Luther.

Norma Luther, President AGSM, swears in new chapter members.

Gold Star Mothers Weekend in San Francisco, CA, Thursday, February 16th -
Saturday, February 18th! Linda Daily; Saddleback Valley, Penny Bento; San
Diego, Teresa Bullock; Inland Empire

Bill and Sue Pollard; President So. CA/HI/Saddleback Valley.

From left to right; Sybil Madero from Ventura-Oxnard, Kitty Lapolla from
Ventura-Oxnard, Dulce Soto from Ventura-Oxnard, Sue Pollard,
Dept President of So. Cali / HI / Saddleback Valley, Jane Bright
from Ventura-Oxnard, Kathleen Chappell from Home-Long Beach,
Elaine Krepp from Saddleback Valley.

Rob Soltes Memorial, Jan 25, 2012

On Wednesday, January 25th, 2012, the new Blind Center at the VA Hospital
in Long Beach, was dedicated to Maj. Rob Soltes, who was killed on Oct. 13,
2004. His proud family is standing in the middle, starting with his sister
Carolyn, Proud GSM Nancy, Proud GSD Chuck and Rob's wife, Sally Soltes.

From left to right; Sally Monsoor, Karen Curreri, Elaine Brattain, Debi Win'E,
Rob's sister Carolyn, mother Nancy, father Chuck and wife, Sally Soltes.
And to the right of the family are Cathie Santee, Linda Daily, Carla Hogan,
Alba Garibay, Nancy Walker, Sandra Aceves, Sue Pollard and Elaine Krepp.

From left to right; Debi Win'E, Elaine Brattain, Nancy Soltes (Rob's mom),
Sally Soltes (Rob's Wife), Elaine Krepp, Linda Daily, Sue Pollard and
Karen Curreri. Nancy was presented with a corsage from our group!
What an Honor!

Memorial Service for Past National President Helen Stuber.

Gold Star Mothers Vicki Castro, Cathie Santee, Nancy Soltes and
Sue Pollard were Honored to attend and be a part of the memorial
ceremony for Helen Stuber, PNP 1982-1983, on Sunday,
January 15, 2012 at Pacific View Cemetery in Corona del Mar.

Left to Right: Paul Varner; Helen Stuber's Grandson, Vicki Castro,
Cathie Santee, Sue Pollard, Nancy Soltes. Cathie read the closing prayer.

Saddleback Valley GSMs attend Navy Cross award to LCpl Donald Hogan.

On Tuesday, January 17, 2012, Saddleback Valley Gold Star Mothers were Honored to attend our Gold Star Mother, Carla Hogan son's LCpl Donald Hogan, who was awarded the "Navy Cross". The Marines also built new Bachelor Enlisted Quarters for our Marines stationed at Camp Pendleton, along with Handicap Quarters for our Wounded Warriors, that can still serve!

Nancy Soltes, Sue Pollard, LT. General Waldhauser
(Camp Pendleton), Elaine Brattain and Sally Monsoor.

In Front of the LCpl Donald J. Hogan Memorial Sign are Sally Monsoor,
Sue Pollard, Carla Hogan, Nancy Soltes and Elaine Brattain.

Standing with The Honorable Mr. Ray Mabus, Secretary of the Navy
are Nancy, Sue, Mr. Mabus, Sally and Elaine.