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Blue Star Mothers pay tribute

Jun- 2-2004 » Filed Under: Homefront

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By Carol Rock, Staff Writer

VALENCIA -- There are almost as many blue stars as there are green leaves in three trees next to Santa Clarita City Hall, thanks to the efforts of the Blue Star Mothers.

Laminated stars, emblazoned with the name, rank and service branch of each Santa Clarita resident currently in the service went up a year ago and have increased twice since that initial decoration. According to the group, there are more than 700 active military personnel who call Santa Clarita home.

From a podium between columns festooned with yellow ribbons, Honorary Blue Star Mother Sharon Ventrice welcomed the service members and their families to the second annual "Celebration of the Troops" on Monday. The event included music and prayers for service members and the introduction of veterans and troops in attendance.

Ventrice is the only living honorary member of the group; the honor was also bestowed on President Franklin Delano Roosevelt as thanks for his support of the Blue Star Mothers. Ventrice has no children in the military, but has been the driving force behind many of the mailings and was the organizer of Monday's event.

Tina Perez, who founded the Santa Clarita Valley chapter of the Blue Star Mothers, pointed out the importance of the stars.

"These are real people protecting our freedom," she said. "We're here to remind you to keep them in your prayers. It's because of them that we are the land of the free and home of the brave."


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