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.

News

JERSEY JOTS March 2010

Moms,

Let’s hope the snow storms are behind us and we can look forward to Spring and Daylight Savings Time. There is nothing I enjoy more than watching the crocus and daffodils sprouting out of the ground and getting ready to bloom for Easter. Easter is early this year and I pray you will be surrounded with your loved ones and enjoy your family gatherings. God Bless.

Once again, I am asking for your support with the sale of the GSM Pins. If you do not think you will be able to sell them in the near future, I will request that you send them back so I can rebuild my inventory for the Annual NJ Vintage Grand Prix Festival in May. Those dates are May 21, 22, and 23rd. We will be hosting our American Gold Star Mother table with information and we will be selling the pins. Veterans and Wounded Warriors will be given proper recognition.

Judi
"Dedication is not what others expect of you, Dedication is what you can do for others".

Attention all Marine Moms. Please go to http://marinecause.com and sign the petition. Reading the website will fill you in on the purpose.

Report from Membership:
Dept of New Jersey would like announce that in the past few months we have had the following new members join the organization.

Bayshore Chapter
Maria Marciante

Burlington Chapter
Mary Knight

Camden Chapter
Elizabeth DosReis
Associate-Edward DosReis

Paterson Chapter
Judith Kohn
Karen Solarino

Trenton Chapter
Sue Niederer
Associate-Rebekah Dvorin
Associate-Richard Dvorin

We hope you will join us for our May 15 meeting.

Judith
God Bless You All!

Our Fallen Heroes Are Never Forgotten!

Kimberly Geonnotti - Communications Chairman
kgeonnotti@djbentzscholarship.org

Upcoming Events

Saturday, March 13, 2010 - We, as a group, have been invited to attend the Ocean County St. Patrick's Day Parade, at Noon on the Boulevard in Seaside Heights, with a rain date for Sunday March 14, 2010. The Parade Committee is hosting a luncheon for the Wounded Warriors and all Gold Star Moms on Friday, March 12, 2010 at 1:00 PM at Hemingway's Restaurant, 612 Boulevard in Seaside Heights, NJ. All Gold Star Mothers and a guest are invited. I WILL NEED RSVP's for this event. Please contact me (judi.tapper@verizon.net). Thank you.

Saturday, April 24, 2010 -  is the Annual Candlelight Vigil hosted by Rolling Thunder Chapter 2 and as usual will be held at the Toms River Armory starting at 7:00 PM. I hope many of you will plan on attending. You will be receiving your personal invitation from Rolling Thunder. Please circle the date.

Saturday, May 15, 2010 - Our May Convention Meeting has been confirmed. We will meet at VFW Post 1838 at 11:00 AM sharp. The address is 30 Ridge Avenue, Manasquan, NJ. We will have lunch immediately following the meeting and for those who wish to spend the day together, we will visit Historic Allaire Village which is only 3 miles away. Just a nice time to be together, browse, shop, and enjoy the history and exhibits. Later in the day, if you wish, we will have dinner together at the Village. Please circle the date and join us.

Saturday, May 22, 2010 - This year The NJ Vintage Grand Prix and Family Festival will be bigger and better than ever. Their Committee is committed to bring our recovering Wounded Warriors and Veterans from the NY, NJ, PA, DE and DC area recovery facilities. Rolling Thunder Chapter 4 NJ was asked and has agreed to coordinate the "Honor Escorts" from each of the Facilities to the New Jersey Motorsports Park in Millville, NJ. Gold Star Mothers will have an informative table that day and anyone interested in helping Judi, please let her know.

God Bless You All!
Our Fallen Heroes Are Never Forgotten!
Kimberly Geonnotti - Communications Chairman

Past Events

“The Butterfly Tree” National Children’s Memorial to Fallen Soldiers

The children of our nation have made the only memorial of its kind in the United States to honor the fallen soldiers of “Operation Iraqi Freedom” and “Operation Enduring Freedom”. Children from 28 states have come together to make almost 5,000 unique butterflies, each with the name, rank and age of a fallen soldier. These red, white and blue butterflies have been placed on an eleven-foot tall tree. This two-year project is a wonderful tribute that shows that children can do wonderful things for our country.

This memorial was dedicated on Tuesday December 8th, 2009 at the Howell Middle School South, 1 Kuzminski Way, Howell New Jersey.

New Jersey Gold Star Moms and Cheri Reis, creator of the Butterfly Tree.
Back Row - Kim, Pam, Diane and Joan.
Front Row - Cheri Reis, Theresa, Judi and Suzette.

Some photos from the 2009 Ruck Run at MaGuire Air Force Base, NJ.

Bubba Beason presented each Mom with a piece
of the World Trade Center and the GSM Tote Bag.

New Jersey Gold Star Moms present Bubba Beason
with the Honor and Remember flag.

The NJ Gold Star Moms in attendance.

Judith Tapper with the 2nd Place Winning Team that ran for her son,
David M. Tapper. This is the 3rd year for this event.

There are more photos at the links in the left column of this page.