Welcome to the Dept of New Jersey of American Gold Star Mothers. If you're a Gold Star mom from New Jersey and would like to meet others in your situation please contact us.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY JERSEY JOTS, 2012

I truly hope you all had a wonderful Holiday Season during the last two months of November and December, 2011. That year is now behind us and I am so proud of all the accomplishments of our Gold Star Families and how your very special fund raisers supported and touched so many people’s lives.

The Dept. of NJ also raised funds to benefit those organizations that do so much to support our military and those needing help in many other ways. Thank you.

I am looking forward to another prosperous new year. To those Gold Star Moms who have joined the national organization of the American Gold Star Mother’s Inc. please consider joining us for our next Dept. of NJ May meeting. This is a very special time to have the opportunity to meet Moms and Families from across the State of New Jersey.

If any of you wish to notify all members of upcoming events, just send them to me and they will go out in a separate email. Our Jersey Jots only comes out every other month.

It’s just a few clicks on the computer to let you all know what’s going on. E-mail to: judi.tapper@verizon.net

Remember, dedication is not what others expect of you, dedication is what you can do for others.

Upcoming Events

• Jan 21. 2012 - Rolling Thunder Chapter 2, NJ, 14th Annual Spaghetti Dinner will be held January 21, 2012, 3PM – 7PM, Knights of Columbus, 15 East Lacey Road, Forked River, NJ 08731.
  
  Donation of $10.00 at the door, $5.00 (Ages 5-11) Active Duty Military admitted free.
  
  BYOB – Lots of Fun – Door Prizes, Cannoli eating contest.
• Mar 10, 2012 - Ocean Co. 28th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Seaside Height’s, NJ. This year the Parade Committee would like to support the national campaign to “Honor & Remember” all military service personnel. The “Honor & Remember” campaign was set up in part to create a unique Flag to establish a tangible national symbol of gratitude as a visible public reminder to all Americans; perpetually recognizing the sacrifice of our military fallen heroes and their families.
  
  PLEASE CIRCLE THE DATE AND JOIN IN ON THE FUN. I WOULD LOVE TO SEE A LARGE PRESENCE OF GOLD STAR FAMILIES PARTICIPATING IN THIS EVENT. THE BLUE STAR FAMILIES ALWAYS HAVE MANY MEMBERS TAKING PART IN THIS GREAT PARADE. YOU WILL ENJOY IT!!!!!! MORE TO FOLLOW UNDER SEPARATE COVER.

Past Events

County Honors Gold Star Mothers

BRICK TOWNSHIP – Gold Star Mothers from throughout the State were recently recognized by the Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders for their ongoing work to help and support veterans and their families.

“As some of you may know Ocean County is home to the largest veteran population in the state of New Jersey and my colleagues and I on the Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders could not be more proud of the actions of our veterans who heroically defend our freedoms,” said Freeholder Deputy Director Gerry P. Little, during a luncheon honoring the mothers at the Brick VFW 8867 on Adamston Road, here. “As the Gold Star Mothers of New Jersey, I know each of you is the proud mother of a veteran – a veteran that has made the ultimate sacrifice and with all my heart to you I say Thank you.”

Little noted, the work of the Gold Star Mothers has resulted in raising awareness of the work of military personnel and the sacrifices made by military families.

“I want to recognize the ongoing efforts of all the Gold Star Mothers who work tirelessly in improving the quality of life for our veterans here and across the country,” Little said. “I commend your President, Judith Tapper for all of her work with the Gold Star Mothers and especially the six years of effort that has resulted in a New Jersey license plate designed for Gold Star Mother Families. That effort came to fruition just this past August as Gov. Christie unveiled the new plate.”

Little also commended Terry Fearon, Brick VFW quartermaster for his help in accomplishing the creation of the Gold Star Mother license plate. And, gave his thanks to Post Commander Jim Pier for sponsoring the Gold Star Mother gathering.

In an effort to help the Gold Star Mothers and other veteran organizations to have the state of New Jersey adopt the Honor and Remember Flag as a visual reminder of the sacrifices veterans have made for the country, Little said he and Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari sent a letter to Gov. Christie and to the state Department of Veterans and Military Affairs in support of the flag.

“We have requested the state of New Jersey adopt the Honor and Remember Flag as an official flag to recognize and honor fallen members of the armed forces,” said Little. “The flag will serve as a symbol of our continuing pride in the men and women that serve in the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and Reserves. It will remind us of their dedication and their sacrifices to bring peace to all lands.”

The flag has already been adopted by Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Maryland amongst other states.

Little noted that Ocean County has now lost 12 soldiers in the ongoing War on Terror. Most recently Sgt. John Lyons of Seaside Park was killed Oct. 26 while serving in Afghanistan.

“At the Ocean County Government Complex in downtown Toms River a black granite monument holds each of the names of the soldiers we have lost in the ongoing War on Terror,” Little said. We hope this simple marker will help assure they will forever be remembered.”

HONORING GOLD STAR MOTHERS – Ocean County Freeholder Deputy
Director Gerry P. Little (second from left) joined with (from left to right)
Brick VFW 8867 Commander Jim Pier, American Gold Star Mothers
of New Jersey President Judith Tapper and VFW 8867 Quartermaster
Terry Fearon at the recent gathering of Gold Star Mothers at the VFW
Post on Adamston Road, Brick Township. In the photo is an enlarged
version of the new state license plate honoring Gold Star Families and
in the background the Honor and Remember Flag veterans groups are
encouraging the state of adopt.

Annual Holiday Luncheon

NJ Moms at our Annual Holiday Luncheon, hosted by the Brick, NJ VFW.
We all had a very nice time and our Speaker Brig. General James
Grant delivered a beautiful message to all of us.

Gold Star Mobile at the NYC Veterans Day Parade, Nov 11, 2011

The Gold Star Mobile participated in the Veterans Day Parade in
New York City with Terry Fearon at the wheel.