Welcome to the Idaho Gold Star Mothers' (and Family) webpage. We are here to support Gold Star Families and honor their Fallen Heroes. We are also a "Veteran's Service Organization" honoring and serving both our active duty military and our veterans.

At this time, Idaho does not have an active Gold Star Mothers' Chapter. If you are interested in helping to start a chapter, please contact Myra Rintamaki, Department President at myrar@u.washington.edu.

Idaho Chapter

Support Information

Organization: Teaching Hands
Support: Provides "Comfort Scarves" to Gold Star Families and Blue Star Families.
Contact Information: Cindy Williams - 208-761-6253, or email: 3storyteller@gmail.com
Volunteers: working with students from Boise State University to help support Gold Star Families.
Location: "Teaching Hands" meets the 1st and 3rd Saturday at the Veterans Resource Network, Boise, ID.

You are invited to share a free meal at the American Legion in Meridian every Thursday. These meals are hosted by the nonprofit organization " Teaching Hands", which uses the arts to aid those in need. These meals are open to everyone, no strings attached, no sermons, Come and enjoy!

Address: 22 W. Broadway - Meridian,ID, Time; 5:30 - 7:30 PM.

We support our veterans families, veterans and civilians! http://www.teaching-hands.blogspot.com

EXPANSION OF IDAHO GOLD STAR LICENSE PLATES TO INCLUDE COMBAT AND NON-COMBAT DEATHS

H0537 failed to make it out of committee and therefore will not be voted on this year. Supporters of the bill strongly suggest that each Idaho Gold Star Family member contact their own state Representative and Senator over the next several months to let them know you support the inclusion of military deaths from combat as well as non-combat situtations with the goal of honoring all of our service men and women who gave their life while serving in our military. Contact Myra Rintamaki (myrar@u.washington.edu) if you have any further questions regarding the process required to change the Idaho Gold Star Family license plate.

Dear Idaho Gold Star Families,

We need your support to let your Idaho Representative and Senator know that you support the expansion of the Gold Star Family license plate to include combat and non-combat deaths. The link to the Idaho Legislature is: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/howtocontactlegislators.htm. Find your legislator and send them an email stating your support of the bill to expand the license plate.

Representatives Marv Hagedorn and JoAn Wood have drafted the revisions. Please thank them for their support. Rep. Hagedorn is a retired navy officer and founded a program for wounded warriors.

H0537 was introduced 2/14/12 to "to revise provisions relating to the Gold Star specialty license plate program and to establish provisions relating to a Gold Star - Purple Heart Medal specialty license plate."

Sincerely,
Myra Rintamaki
Dept. President for WA, ID, OR, and AK
Proud Marine Mom of Cpl. Steven Rintamaki, KIA Iraq

We have the bill drafted and Rep. JoAn Wood and I will be running it. The end result of our meetings were to have 2 versions of the plate made available, one with the PH on the Gold Star designating a combat loss and the other the standard Gold Star plate.

It should be heard sometime next week, once it is, the bill will be available on the web and I will try to remember to send the link out to everyone.

No one got exactly what they wanted out of all of our discussions, but I think we've come up with something that will work for everyone.

Hope all are well,
Marv

Marv Hagedorn
Idaho State Representative
Wyakin Warrior Foundation co-founder and Vice President
5285 W. Ridgeside St.
Meridian, ID 83646
208-867-5643

Upcoming Events

• May 11, 2012, Friday - Military Appreciation Night at Gonzaga Univ.
  My name is Eric Williams, and I’m a student intern in the Athletic Marketing Department at Gonzaga. On Friday, May 11 we are hosting Military Appreciation night as the Zags take on perennial NCAA-power Arizona State. We would like to honor all active duty individuals and veterans by offering free admission to the game, as well as honoring the respective branches throughout the game. I would like to extend the invitation for the American Gold Star Mothers to come and enjoy the game.
  
  To add to the excitement, that Friday will also be “dollar dog night”, where all fans in attendance will be able to enjoy a $1 hot dog while they watch the game.
  
  Brian Kohout and I will be the main point of contact for the game, and we would welcome the opportunity to meet with you and
  discuss any thoughts and ideas you may have.
  
  Thank you for your service, and we look forward to hearing from you soon.
  
  RSVP directly to Eric Williams at: ewilliams@zagmail.gonzaga.edu.
  
  Eric Williams Gonzaga University '12
  Marketing Intern, Gonzaga University Athletics Department
  ewilliams@zagmail.gonzaga.edu
• May 27-30, 2012 - On Memorial Day weekend, the fields at Century High School in Pocatello, Idaho are transformed into a memorial resembling Arlington National Cemetery located in Washington DC. Each wooden cross is handmade and affixed with the name, rank and the date of death of an American Serviceman or Servicewoman who paid the ultimate price in the name of freedom. The crosses are then carefully spaced and placed into the ground. Once the field is complete it is consecrated as hallowed ground and opened to the public for those who wish to come pay their respects.
  
  Friday, May 27th 2011
  
  1000 (10:00 AM) - Opening Ceremony.
  1800 (6:00 PM) - Youth Ceremony, Sunset Flag Ceremony by the American Legion Jr. Auxiliary.
  
  Saturday May 28th
  
  1200 (12 Noon) - 25th Army Band, Weapons of Brass Destruction Concert.
  1800 (6:00 PM) - Sunset Flag Ceremony by the Pocatello Veterans Honor Guard.
  
  Sunday May 29th
  
  1800 (6:00 PM) - Sunset Flag Ceremony by the Pocatello Veterans Honor Guard.
  
  Monday May 30th
  
  1745 (5:45 PM) - POW*MIA Awareness Rally Thunder Run Tribute.
  1800 (6:00 PM) - Closing Sunset Flag Ceremony by the Pocatello Veterans Honor Guard.
  
  
  Field of Heroes - Pocatello Idaho, http://idahofieldofheroes.org/