American Gold Star Mothers holds an installation

CONROE, TX — At the first official meeting of the newly formed chapter of American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. (AGSM) in Greater Southeast Texas will be assigned staff along with American Gold Star Mothers TX/OK staff on Saturday, April 29 at the Honor Café. , a military themed restaurant located at 103 N. Thompson in Conroe from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm.

Mothers who have lost a child who served in the army will hold an official ceremony

American Gold Star Mothers, Inc is a non-profit organization for American mothers who have lost a son or daughter while serving in the military. Originally formed by a charter of Congress in 1928 for mothers who lost a child during World War I, the name was created from the custom of flying a service flag banner in a window—a blue star for active military personnel, or gold if a service member lost their life while on duty. The charter was later extended to those who lost a child during World War II, the Korean War, and other conflicts. It is now open to all mothers, regardless of cause of death, and allows mothers whose children are missing to become a member. The organization is currently open to U.S. citizens or legal residents, as well as stepmothers who raised the deceased before the age of 15.

Husbands, children, and parents of eligible American Gold Star mothers are encouraged to become Associate Members. The AGSM is made up of local chapters that are part of the state level or departments.

The Greater Southeast Texas Chapter has 6 officers: Sherry Guy of Splendora as President, Nancy Harrison, VP of The Woodlands, Florence Holmes of Arp will serve as 2nd Vice President, Margie Taylor of Conroe is Secretary, Ana Hernandez of Splendora is treasurer. and Teresa Smitherton-Jarvis is the Conroe chaplain.

The Texas/Oklahoma Department of AGSM appoints its officers at the April 29 event, with three officers serving the Greater Southeast Texas chapter also serving at the department level, as specified in the order. 1st Vice President – Sherry Guy, 2nd Vice President – Margie Taylor. (both for one year) and Ana Hernandez as Treasurer for two years.

Mothers with a gold star have a tradition of repeating our children’s names and activities in their honor. Here are the names of our heroes:

• Christopher Guy-HM1 SW-AW US Navy, son of Sherry Guy

• Michael Mahoney – US Air Force Pilot First Class, son of Nancy Harrison.

• Chris Wisepape – Chief Petty Officer of the US Navy Reserve, son of Florence Whisepape Holmes.

• Armando Hernandez, Lance Corporal, USMC, son of Ana Hernandez

• Joey Lenz – US Army Specialist, son of Margie Lenz Taylor.

• Brandon Smitherman US Army Corporal, son of Teresa Smitherman Jarvis

“It is indeed a great honor to be elected President of the Greater Southeast Texas Chapter of American Gold Star Mothers, Inc.,” said Sherry Guy. “I look forward to a very successful year of working with an amazingly diverse group of women to honor and preserve the memory of our fallen children while continuing to serve the military community. This chapter will give us the opportunity, through many strengths, to help the community that our children hold near and dear to their hearts, following in the footsteps of our founder, Grace Darling Seybold.”

Meetings will be held monthly on the 2nd Wednesday of the month to support each other and the community by honoring fallen sons and daughters through veteran service and patriotic activities. To become a chapter member, a Gold Star mother must first be a registered member of American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. www.GoldStarMoms.com You don’t have to live in the area to become a chapter member.

Carla Wicks, President of the Texas/Oklahoma Department of State, said, “The American Gold Star Mothers program is not just a membership of mothers. We include the Gold Star family in our organization as associate members. As a veterans service organization, we honor the life of our minister by serving together in our communities. We are and always will be… a family.”

Join Greater Southeast Texas Local and Department of American Mothers installation with the Texas/Oklahoma Gold Star on Saturday, April 29 starting at 11:30 a.m. at the Honor Café. Once the officers are installed, the community is invited to dine and interact with the American Gold Star Mothers. For more information about organizing or meeting, please email [email protected].