Blue Star Mothers' For Military Moms

HERNANDO BEACH With two sons in the U.S. military, Hernando Beach resident Janice Zabel has noticed something - moms often get left out of the communication loop between military officials and families.

Like military spouses, mothers need moral support and want to be involved in providing as much support as possible. That is why Zabel and other local military moms are starting a West Coast chapter of the Blue Star Mothers of America, a national nonprofit service organization.

Until now, there have only been two Florida chapters, both on Florida's east coast. Zabel, who has spent the past four years driving to Jacksonville for meetings, said it was time local moms had their own group.

"There's a real need for mothers on this side of the state to connect," she said.

This Saturday marks the first meeting of the chapter, meant for mothers from Hernando County to Sarasota who want to support current and former members of the U.S. military.

With chapters across the country, the non-partisan, non-political organization ships packages to troops, sends letters and networks with all military and support organizations.

Those spearheading the local movement include Zabel and Pasco County mother Lauren Frazier, a current U.S. Navy officer who has three sons in the military. She recently returned from a tour in Iraq, where one of her sons is still stationed.

The group will meet twice a month, with meetings held wherever the greatest concentration of members live. The first meeting will be held in Pasco County, where leaders hope to get an idea of the demographics, Zabel said.

"We'll be carpooling to meetings, especially with the gas situation," she said. "We're expecting at least 12 to 15 people."

The group's name comes from its symbolism. Every mother of a serviceman or woman is considered a "blue star mother" and hangs a banner in their home window, with one blue star for each child in the U.S. military.

When a child is lost, the banner turns from blue to gold and the mother is considered a "gold star" mother.

Zabel, who has one son in the U.S. Army and another in the U.S. Navy, provides support for families of the fallen as one of two blue-to-gold liaisons for the state. She coordinates with officials to make sure someone can be at the funeral and orders and presents gold banners for families.

"We're there to support families of the military and help them adjust," Zabel said. "We're there to make sure our children and other people's children get packages, and we're also there for the mothers and fathers when they've lost one of our heroes."

She has been working closely with gold star mother Dee Mills of Lea's Prayers and Postage - mother of fallen Masaryktown Marine Corps Sgt. Lea Mills - as well as local businesses Treats for Troops and Gifts from Home.

As a long-term goal, Zabel said she hopes to send packages regularly to troops overseas, as well as sending supplies to orphanages in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Though the group is primarily meant for moms, meetings are also welcome to all associate members, such as siblings, fathers, friends and spouses, Zabel added.

The first meeting of the local organization will take place at 4 p.m. this Saturday at Frazier's home, 4642 Ontario Drive in New Port Richey. Carpooling from Hernando will be available.

For more information or directions, call Frazier at 727-849-2732.