While their sons and daughters are stationed around the world as a part of the armed forces, members from the Blue Star Mothers of New Mexico gathered in Española for their state convention April 12.
Northern New Mexico Chapter President Marilyn Peabody said the location of the state convention shifts between the Blue Star Mothers’ six chapters in the state. At last year’s meeting, Peabody volunteered Española for the site of the 2014 convention.
True to Peabody’s word, a small group of women convened on Saturday morning at Anthony’s at the Delta to offer support to each other as mothers of children in the military.
Lectures offered during the day-long convention included “How to Fundraise with a Cause/How to Get Community Involved,” “Getting the Youth Involved in Patriotism,” and “How to get a Passport and Why.” Peabody said she became a Blue Star Mother when her son began attending the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y.
Peabody, her son now an instructor at the Academy, said the most important aspect of the annual convention is offering support and a sense of community to each other.
“It’s an opportunity to share some ideas,” she said.
In agreement with Peabody was Karen Stevens, of the Four Corners Chapter.
The Farmington native said she was one of the first Blue Star Mothers in New Mexico.
While the national association was established in 1942, Stevens said there were no New Mexico chapters until 2003.
That was the year her son was deployed to Kuwait on his way to fight in the Iraq War. Stevens started the first chapter in New Mexico, with Albuquerque and Santa Fe chapters soon to follow.
Now six chapters strong with groups covering every region of the state, Stevens said the Blue Star Mothers have put New Mexico on the map.
She said one of the greatest challenges is offering support to the Mothers’ gold star mothers — those who have lost their son or daughter in the line of duty.
Stevens said she has five gold star mothers in her chapter, while Peabody said she has two. The Northern New Mexico Chapter’s gold star mothers aren’t heavily involved with the group, but Peabody continues to reach out with support.
Representing the city of Española was Mayor Alice Lucero, who led the opening remarks at the state convention.
Lucero said she felt inadequate comparing her public service to the sacrifices that those in the armed forces make on a daily basis.
“Nothing pleases me more than to receive letters from some of our troops,” she said. “It just tugs on my heart.”
While it will be some time before the Blue Star Mothers state convention returns to Española, Stevens said the Mothers’ goals will remain the same.
“That’s part of our mission, that our fallen are never forgotten,” she said.