It's been some time since I've blogged here but please know that all is well. We have launched a wonderful new website and have jumped enthusiastically into Web 2.0 with our twitter page and our social networking platform iZoca.

Our membership continues to rise dramatically as are our tight bonds with each other coming together in times of uncertainty. We have lots of resources and tips to share. Hope to see you at one of our upcoming meetings and events! We're not just there for you during tough times of deployment either. We're supporting each other with our children's military service from basic training right into retirement and on as veterans.

Veterans Day 2008... Already here... A sincere appreciation and debt of gratitude for our veterans for proudly serving our country and defending our freedom!! Thank You Veterans!!

Our chapter packed and mailed around 800 Freedom Boxes to our deployed troops from or with ties to the Capital Region area in the past two weeks. We enjoyed an outpouring of appreciation and support for our troops and veterans. Our mothers were sincerely appreciative of that as our sons and daughters continue to fight this global war on terrorism.

On a most personal note, my family was thrilled to welcome home our son, Jeff, from his first deployment (15 months!) to Iraq. He will be stop-lossed, and after a twelve month reprieve, will be deployed to Afghanistan to continue serving there. God Bless him, our troops, our country, and you, for supporting these brave American Heroes!!!

Our chapter continues to grow. We gained five new members just this week. We are proud that we are making a difference and provide support to our military families as well as our troops and our veterans.  We've also been busy at the airport welcoming our American heroes home-this is by far our favorite thing to do! Our next event will be a giant troop drive at Colonie Center where we plan to fill and ship 500 Holiday Freedom Boxes to our deployed troops. Kickoff will be on Saturday, November 1st at noon at Center Court. Hope you'll be able to stop by! We are honored to be marching in the Grand Marshall's Division of the Albany Veterans Day Parade again this year as we pay tribute to our veterans-past and present. A good weather forecast would make it perfect! Hope to see you there!

Our second annual America Supports You Freedom Walk today was awesome! We tripled the number of participants from last year, had beautiful weather, and a great program!. Thanks to all of you that participated.

Pride and Hope,

Kay

On May 10th, the annual Military Ball was held in Albany honoring our chapter of the Blue Star Mothers. We were very appreciative of this. All those attending reported having a great time. On Saturday night, May 17th, we will again be honored, this time by the Schenectady Veterans Organizations at their Armed Forces Day dinner. We have a lot of our members going and are humbled by this honor. Saturday is Armed Forces Day, a day to pay tribute to and salute our troops who sacrifice so much for our freedoms and way of life. Next week we will begin our Memorial Day tributes and parades in memory of our fallen American heroes.