President's Message
 March 2008
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
The spring has flown by with many events in many areas of the United States. March 19, 2008 marked the 5th Anniversary of Operation Iraqi Freedom with memorial events honoring 4,000 fallen heroes. I hope some of you made it to one of these remembrances. Gold Star Wives testified in front of the Joint Veterans Committee April 3rd with Rose Lee representing the Government Relations Committee. Rachel Clinkscale represented Martha Didamo, Board Chair, Kit Frazer represented me as I was in Texas and was invited to attend the South Central’s Conference in Oklahoma City. I want to thank the entire Government Relations Committee for their outstanding work this spring. Please read their report in this newsletter. By the time you get this newsletter the Senate Democratic Steering Committee and Outreach Committee will have meet on May 14. Due to Easter falling so early this year, all testimonies, round table discussions and committee meetings were moved to April and May causing conflicts with our leadership who were attending their Region Conferences being at the same time. But never fear we always have volunteers to step in for Martha and me to help cover these important meetings. I thank each of them for assisting.
In February, “Celebration of Freedom” honoring 4 Americans who have done outstanding works with our Armed Forces and Veterans. The event was held at the Ronald Reagan Library in California, with Carol Ellinger and Debra Kraus attending. Forty-three Medal of Honor Recipients were in attendance at this black tie affair. The following Awards were presented: Distinguished Citizen Award to astronaut Bonnie J. Dunbar, Ph.D. The Bob Hope Entertainment Award was presented to actor, John Voight for his unending work with our wounded soldiers. The Distinguished Citizen Award was presented to General James T. Conway, Commandant, USMC
I was invited to North West Region Conference and South Central Region Conference. This was a difficult decision to make which one to attend since they were on the same weekend. I finally chose to attend South Central, which was held in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, It was my mom’s First Anniversary of her death, and due to weather none of us had been able to see the lovely headstone Dad had picked out. Traveling to Oklahoma also gave me the opportunity to do some needed repairs on my father’s home, visit a dear friend who has terminal cancer, and most of all enjoy seeing the members of the South Central Conference all at the same time. I really enjoyed seeing many of our South Central members, Veda Cook, Marjorie Hubbard, Betty Sue Brown, Ruth Miller, Sharri Briley, Mary Morgan, Carol Patterson, Carrie Young, Mabel Peterson, Mary Murray, Wynema Graves, Imo Jean Thorton, Marie Speer, and three very new members from Kansas who joined because of our Outreach Project. I am sure, I missed some of you, and I apologize. At their installation dinner some of our members who have attended many National Conventions were present, it was so great to see them, as they are no longer able to travel to National. The Daily Oklahoman ran a wonderful article in the Sunday addition of the paper. The young reporter did an excellent article on Gold Star Wives and our mission to Reach Out to all military surviving spouses.
On April, 23, three members-at-large represented Gold Star Wives at the Utah Native American Chamber of Commerce opening in Salt Lake City: Delores Thompson, Marit White and Gloria Hunt. Thank you for your willingness to represent Gold Star Wives at this historical event.
Gold Star Wives Outreach Project continues to bring in members, thank you Virginia Hurley and your committee for being available to answer the various questions these surviving spouses have had. I continue to send out condolence letters to our recent surviving spouses about 50 a month. Many are on the Gold Star Wives “message board” and have become active in our organization.
I want to thank all of you who participated in our Stay At Home Tea fundraising project. I have written many appreciation letters to members who were generous to give $100 or more to this fundraising project. Each member who gives what they can afford and this is greatly appreciated because sometimes. It is a real sacrifice for some of you to send a donation. Each donation is appreciated.
Recently I was invited, to attend “Salute Our Troops” in Farmington, NM by the Navajo Tribal Council, along with four of our surviving World War II, Navajo Code Talkers. Over 300 bikers road on an honor ride to the Traveling Vietnam Wall, which was in nearby Bloomfield, NM. This was an emotional day to be so honored along with our WWII Navajo Code Talkers.
In May, I will attend the Memorial Day Events in Washington DC, as well as, our Third Annual Congressional Gold Star Wives Reception on May 22. If you are planning to come into DC for any of these events, please let Rose Lee, Edie Smith or myself know, so we can direct you to the proper contact person in charge of the many events Gold Star Wives’ are ask to attend. As we approach Memorial Day, it is a time to remember and honor our spouses who made the ultimate sacrifice for this great country. I hope each of you will participate in the events near your home and represent Gold Star Wives. Each of you who participate in activities, events, or volunteer at our VA Medical Centers is very appreciated.
It is ELECTION TIME again!! The ballot is in this newsletter for each of you to vote. This is the third year our organization has given each member the chance to exercise their right to vote on their leadership of this organization. Please exercise this right to Vote, as this is your organization. We need your input, we need your participation if we are to grow and move forward. In order for this voting to be successful you need to follow the instructions carefully so your vote will count.
Please see these instructions in the newsletter. If you have any questions pertaining to the voting process please feel free to contact your region president, chapter president or me. The Credentials Committee members will count the ballots at the National Convention.
By the time you receive this newsletter, I hope you have made your reservations to attend the National Convention in New Haven, Connecticut. If you have not done so by the deadline you will find a late fee attached to your registration. Information is in the March newsletter. Mountain Laurels Chapter and Kathleen Blamire Cordova Convention Coordinator, has been working very hard to provide a wonderful convention in this historical area of our country. It takes a great deal of planning and work to put on a National Convention. Please consider coming and participating in the business of our organization. There is shuttle information in this newsletter be sure to make your reservations. This is a wonderful time to meet and make new friends and see the New England area.
Gold Star Wives does not have an invitation to host the 2009 or 2010 National Convention. I am hopeful that some of you have discussed hosting a National Convention and will surprise me and bring an invitation for either the 2009 or 2010 National Convention.
Looking forward to seeing many of you in Washington, DC over Memorial Day Weekend and at the National Convention.
Sincerely,
Kathy Upchurch, National President
500 W. Clarendon Ave, A-8
Phoenix, AZ 85013-3402
Telephone/fax: 602 246 0240
E-mail: ksupchur@cox.net
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