The Department of Minnesota Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc. (BSMoA) held its Fall Convention on Saturday, September 30 at the Bethlehem United Methodist Church in Crystal, MN. In the morning BSMoA business was conducted consisting of officer reports and other items for the good of the organization. The National President, Rebecca Stafford was in attendance as well as the National Financial Secretary, Sonya Kay, National Treasurer Alethea Tennill, and National 2VP, Karla Keller (who was also the outgoing Department of MN President 2022-2023).

The weekend began with 23 moms and associate members partaking in the lunch riverboat cruise on the St Croix in Stillwater. Lunch was a “build your own” deli sandwich, potato salad, fruit, cookies, water, and lemonade. The cruise had smooth waters and several photographic opportunities with the beautiful fall colors beginning to appear up and down the St. Croix. After the cruise, several members checked into the hotel while others went to the church to set up the room for the next day’s meeting. Dinner was held at Pub 42 in New Hope. The Department of MN has held its Friday evening dinner at this location several times. The food is always delicious, and the staff is friendly and prompt, with such a large group of over twenty people. The evening concluded with the Department Executive Board meeting back at the hotel while the other members were free to socialize.

Saturday morning registration began at 8 am and concluded at 8:30 with opening ceremonies to follow. Each year at the convention there is a Minnesota Memorial Service where the heroes, veterans, and Blue Star Mothers (now called Blue Daisies) who have died since the last convention are remembered (by reading their names and lighting a candle) and honored and a POW/MIA ceremony is also held.  Also, any Gold Star Mothers present at the convention are recognized for the sacrifice their child and their family have made. A Gold Star Mother is a mother whose child gave their life while serving on active duty in any branch of the United States Military. Therefore, turning their star from BLUE to GOLD. After a delicious sandwich and salad lunch was served the members reconvened the session and discussed other pertinent business for the organization. When business was completed, elections for the 2023-2024 department officers were held. The ending results were, elected to Department President - Jen Pecarina (MN 13), 1VP - Pam McCabe (MN 7), 2VP - Patricia Carlson (MN16), 3VP - Mary Johnson (MN 7), Recording Secretary - Jeanne Ullmer (MN 7), Financial Secretary - Pam Dickson (MN 13), and Treasurer - Teresa Hawkinson (MN 7). Karla Keller (MN 11), past Department President, was appointed Chaplain. These women will hold office until next year’s convention. The officers were installed by National President Stafford and 2022-2023 Chaplain Lucie Cutts. We wish them all a prosperous year. Pecarina had her Air Force son Benjamin escort her for the installation with other family members in attendance to support her.

Pecarina resides in Buffalo and is the founder of her chapter the Wright County Area MN Chapter 13. She has three military sons which makes her a three-star Blue Star Mother, her mother before her was a two-star Blue Star Mother due to Pecarina’s two brothers being in the military. Pecarina stated that her goal for the year will be to bring about education regarding Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc., to grow the membership of Minnesota Blue Star Mothers, and of course to promote the mission of BSMoA. Her President’s Project is yet to be determined but it will be military/veteran related. Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc. was formed in 1942 by Captain George Maines in Flint, MI. In 1960 The Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc. was congressionally chartered and is a 501c3 non-profit Veterans service organization. Their mission is to serve the currently serving military members, veterans, and Gold Star families. There are six active chapters in the state of Minnesota and over 120 members (moms and associates). Associate members can be Dads, siblings, other family members, or community members who support the mission of BSMoA. Nationwide there are over 200 chapters and over 5,000 members. Not every state is fortunate enough to have a department. The department serves as another support system for chapters and takes a little pressure off the national executive board.

If you are a mother (meaning a woman who filled the role of birthmother, adoptive mother, step-mother, foster mother, grandmother, or legal guardian) of a person who is serving in the Armed Forces; or has served in, or has been honorably discharged from the Armed Forces; and you are living in the United States or are a citizen of the United States living outside the United States. Then you are a Blue Star Mother and you are invited to check out www.bluestarmothers.us to find a chapter close to you! If you don’t see one close to you, you can start a chapter! You need five officers to charter a chapter, but it is recommended to have at least 8 moms to start a chapter and grow from there. Pecarina’s chapter started with 13 moms and four associates and has grown to over 20 moms and six associates. 

If you reside in Minnesota, please email president.deptmn@bluestarmothers.us for membership information. If you live in another state, you may email 1vp@bluestarmothers.us for membership information.