Okaloosa County BOCC — April 15, 2014 — 4-14 BSMA Month — reading text

P ROCLAMATION WHEREAS, the Blue Star Mothers of America Inc. was founded as a patriotic service organiza- tion on February 2, 1942, to unite mothers who had sons or daughters serving in the United States Armed Forces; and WHEREAS, the nonpartisan, nonsectarian and nondiscriminatory nonprofit organization was chartered by the United States Congress in 1960; and WHEREAS, Northwest Florida Blue Star Mothers, Chapter 7, was established and chartered in January, 2009; and WHEREAS, persons eligible for membership in the organization include mothers and stepmoth- ers who have sons or daughters currently serving in the United States military or who are honorably dis- charged veterans. Other family members and friends of military personnel or veterans are eligible to be- come associate members of the organization, and fathers of military personnel or veterans may join the branch of the organization known as the Dad’s Association; and WHEREAS, the work of the Blue Star Mothers of America includes providing support for ac- tive duty service personnel and their families, promoting patriotism and assisting various veterans organi- zations such as Military Order of the Purple Heart; WHEREAS, Blue Star Mothers of America includes providing support for American Gold Star Mothers, who have lost a son or daughter on active duty and are recognized for their many sacrifices for the cause of liberty; WHEREAS, with members of the United States Reserve components having been called to ac- tive service around the world since 2001, the work of the Blue Star Mothers of America has become in- creasingly important, and the dedication, sacrifice and hard work of the devoted members of the Blue Star Mothers of America merits the recognition of all our citizens; and WHEREAS, it is fitting and appropriate that the Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc. be recog- nized for their invaluable contribution to our nation. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Commissioners of Okaloosa County, Florida, that we do hereby proclaim May 2014 as BLUE STAR MOTHERS OF AMERICA MONTH DULY PASSED AND ADOPTED this 15th day of April, 2014. BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OKALOOSA COUNTY, FLORIDA ATTEST: _________________________________ CHARLES K. WINDES, JR. CHAIRMAN ___________________________ DON W. HOWARD CLERK OF CIRCUIT COURT