Contributed report
The Department of Minnesota Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc. (BSMoA) held its Fall Convention on Saturday, September 30 at the Bethlehem United Methodist Church in Crystal. In the morning BSMoA business was conducted consisting of officer reports and other items for the good of the organization. The National President, Rebecca Stafford was in attendance as well as the National Financial Secretary, Sonya Kay, National Treasurer Alethea Tennill, and National 2VP, Karla Keller (who was also the outgoing Department of MN President 2022-2023).
The weekend began with 23 moms and associate members partaking in the lunch riverboat cruise on the St Croix in Stillwater. Lunch was a “build your own” deli sandwich, potato salad, fruit, cookies, water, and lemonade. The cruise had smooth waters and several photographic opportunities with the beautiful fall colors beginning to appear up and down the St. Croix. After the cruise, several members checked into the hotel while others went to the church to set up the room for the next day’s meeting. Dinner was held at Pub 42 in New Hope. The Department of MN has held its Friday evening dinner at this location several times. The food is always delicious, and the staff is friendly and prompt, with such a large group of over twenty people. The evening concluded with the Department Executive Board meeting back at the hotel while the other members were free to socialize.
Saturday morning registration began at 8 am and concluded at 8:30 with opening ceremonies to follow. Each year at the convention there is a Minnesota Memorial Service where the heroes, veterans, and Blue Star Mothers (now called Blue Daisies) who have died since the last convention are remembered (by reading their names and lighting a candle) and honored and a POW/MIA ceremony is also held. Also, any Gold Star Mothers present at the convention are recognized for the sacrifice their child and their family have made. A Gold Star Mother is a mother whose child gave their life while serving on active duty in any branch of the United States Military. Therefore, turning their star from BLUE to GOLD. After a delicious sandwich and salad lunch was served the members reconvened the session and discussed other pertinent business for the organization. When business was completed, elections for the 2023-2024 department officers were held. The ending results were, elected to Department President – Jen Pecarina (MN 13), 1VP – Pam McCabe (MN 7), 2VP – Patricia Carlson (MN16), 3VP – Mary Johnson (MN 7), Recording Secretary – Jeanne Ullmer (MN 7), Financial Secretary – Pam Dickson (MN 13), and Treasurer – Teresa Hawkinson (MN 7). Karla Keller (MN 11), past Department President, was appointed Chaplain. These women will hold office until next year’s convention. The officers were installed by National President Stafford and 2022-2023 Chaplain Lucie Cutts. We wish them all a prosperous year. Pecarina had her Air Force son Benjamin escort her for the installation with other family members in attendance to support her.