By SUSAN WHEELDON, CJ Staff Writer
“We did this to promote support for veterans and all those serving in the armed forces.”
Those were the words of Kathy Hall, a representative of Lake Cumberland Blue Star Mothers — the group which hosted a Celebrating Freedom Veterans Day event at Somerset Mall yesterday.
“We just feel like the community should give recognition to the veterans who have served in the past wars and young ones serving (now),” added Angie Nelson, another of the support group for military families.
Hall said they just hope people in the community will remember to recognize veterans on Veterans Day on Tuesday.
“We hope (people) fly the flag,” said Hall, “and we really wish when people see a veteran they’d go tell them, ‘thank you,’ for all the things they have done.”
The mothers hope some people in the community will visit those veterans who are in nursing homes.
The event consisted of several men in the armed services, as well as veterans speaking to the crowd about their time in the service and why that duty is special to them.
“I just wanted to do something to serve the country,” said SPC Kevin Bickford, who was deployed to Iraq from 2006 to 2007.
Bickford noted how he and others really appreciate people thinking of them while serving. He said that while he was in Iraq, getting packages from the Yellow Ribbon Project every month helped his morale.
“Ever since I was old enough to talk I wanted to be a soldier,” said PFC Aaron Moss, who just graduated from basic and AIT training Friday night.
“It has opened up a great future for me,” he added.
Jay Picard, who has served four tours in Iraq as a Marine, said he would like to personally thank the “old timers” who have set the standard for those serving now so high.
Picard said the Middle East seems to be his “home away from home” and judging from the four times he has been there, he believes there is continuing progress.
“There is a positive mission being served,” said Picard, noting that each and every time he has been in Iraq, he has seen gratitude for those serving from those who live there.
Picard’s father, Lt. Robert Timothy Picard, who served two tours in Vietnam, added that he is very grateful for what the military has done for him, as well as proud of the four tours his son has served.
“These people are a part of history,” added the elder Picard.
Hall said she and the Lake Cumberland Blue Star Mothers also hoped throughout the event those in the community would realize some of the support groups the area including the American Red Cross; the Yellow Ribbon Project, which sends packages to soldiers; Family Readiness Group; VFW American Legion; The Material Girls; and the Veterans for the Fischer House to help those serving the county and their families.
Others at the event include Mike Bruce, a veteran who often speaks in the schools; Southwestern High School ROTC members, who are making Christmas cards to send to the veterans; recruiters for the armed services; and representatives of Somerset Community College.
Currently the Blue Star Mothers are working on “Combat Boot” project, where real boots are placed at different locations and money can be donated by dropping it in the shoe.
Hall said the money raised is split between their group and the Yellow Ribbon Project to pay for postage in mailing packages to those in the service.
For more information about the Blue Star Mothers or their work, people can contact Nelson at 678-2826 or Hall at 219-6218.
