Welcome to the Dept. of New York American Gold Star Mothers. Please contact us if you would like to meet mothers that are like you.

April 19, 2013

Dear Mothers,

Schenectady Chapter 7 has had three Department of New York Presidents recently, and I'm pleased to be the fourth. Thank you for electing me.

We all joined AGSM to honor our children who died in service to our country -- and I will try my best to represent you. John and my son Corporal James Journeay Jackowski, USMC, (along with 240 US Servicemen) was KIA by an Iran-sponsored terrorist bomb in Beirut.

Please remember that all members of AGSM have lost their child who was in service to our country -- all were not KIA -- but all suffered the ultimate sacrifice. Be kind to each other because we are all suffering the same grief at the loss of our child. Remember the Oath we all took when we were obligated, which said (in part): "....that I will comply with all the laws and Constitution....That I will never wrong or permit a wrong to be done to any member...."

As always, your continued support is needed.

Please Mark Your Calendars:

Dates for the 2014 Department of New York Convention are April 24-27, 2014 -- Executive Board Meeting is Thursday, April 24 and Board Meeting and Convention are tentatively planned for Friday-Sunday, April 25-27 in Saratoga Springs NY.

Semper Fi....

Love & peace,

Mary Ellen

Past Events

2013 Convention in Rochester, April 11-14, 2013

2013-2014 Department of New York Executive Board Officers

Seated, left to right: Nadia Cadavero, Ann Davis, Cathy MacFarlane,
Mary Ellen Jackowski, Michele McNaughton, Vivian Allen, Mary Ellen Schramm.

Standing, left to right: Debbie von Ronn, Mary Burgen, Holly Baker,
Mary Wheeler, Rita Hasenauer, Chrys Kestler, Renate DeAngelis.

Left Insert: Candy Clemens. Right Insert: Kathy Cross.

Department of New York AGSM at 2013 Convention in Rochester.

Incoming Department President Mary Ellen (escorted by Gold Star Dad John)
Jackowski at the Memorial Service at the 2013 Rochester Convention.

Department President Rita (escorted by Gold Star Dad Dan) Hasenauer
with the spray of yellow roses in memory of our children at the Memorial
Service at the 2013 Rochester  Convention.

Tri-County Council VietNam Era Vets China Beach fundraiser August 11, 2012

Tri-County Council VietNam Era Vets (TCCVEV) of Albany NY has their fundraiser called
"China Beach" each August as a day-long Bar-B-Que. In keeping with their constant
generosity and support, they always invite Gold Star families as their special guests.
Pictured are some of the Moms and Sisters who attended this event on 8/11/12.

Gold Star Dads attending "China Beach" on 8/11/12.
Back row (l to r): Dan Hasenauer, John Jackowski, and Bob Allen.
Seated: Robert DeAngelis.

NY delegation attends National AGSM Convention, June 2012

NY Delegates at 2012 National Convention.

L to R: Ann Davis & Candy Clemens (So. Buffalo Chapter), Mary Ellen Jackowski
(Schenectady Chapter), Renate DeAngelis & Vivian Allen (Poughkeepsie Chapter)
and Rita Hasenauer (Rochester Chapter).

NY Moms and Dad going to Banquet at 2012 National Convention.

L to R: Candy Clemens, Ann Davis, Catherine Mack, Dorothy Oxendine, Kathy Cross,
Mary Ellen Jackowski, Renate DeAngelis, Vivian Allen, and Rita & Dan Hasenauer.

Dept of NY 2012 Convention

Dept of NY Executive Board Officers 2012/2013.

Front Row (l to r): Mary Ellen Schramm, Mary Crusie, Vivian Allen, Candy Clemens,
Rita Hasenauer, Ann Davis, Michele McNaughton and Mary Burgen.
Standing (l to r): Mary Ellen Jackowski, Renate DeAngelis, Debbie von Ronn,
Yolanda Lopez, Carrie Farley, Holly Baker and Chrys Kestler.

Department of NY AGSM at the 2012 Dept Convention.

Dept of NY Executive Board Officers 2011/2012

Seated front row, left to right:
Ann Davis, Marie Ladouceur, Shirley Weaver, and Dorothea Rockenstyre

Standing, left to right:
Mary Wheeler, Vivian Allen, Mary Ellen Jackowski, Debbie von Ronn,
Renate DeAngelis, Holly Baker, Candace Clemens, Mary Crusie, and Rita Hasenauer

2010 74th Convention

2011 75th Convention site

WNY GSM Plaque Dedication

Memorial service in Albany

Memorial service in Evans NY