Blue Star Moms Need Encouraging Notes and Donations for Care Packages for Troops

Army Specialist Johnny Nguyen is one of the Wounded Warriors—as the South Bay Blue Star Moms (SBBSM) call their injured sons and daughters in the military. Nguyen got a very special valentine from home in February.

The Blue Star Moms sent valentines made by the moms and local school children to all the injured military at Brooks Army Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas, and at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. They mailed four large boxes of valentines, coffee, and candy to several units serving in Afghanistan. They personally delivered valentines to local veterans’ centers.

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Nguyen, who lost a leg in June 2009 on a second tour of Army duty in Iraq, is at Brooks Army Medical Center learning how to use an artificial leg.

My son, Johnny, is still going [through] rehabilitation..,so every spark of opportunities that bring hope, encouragement, and comfort has major impact to his long journey of recovery. The valentine’s care package was definitely a wonderful gift. It comes with love and caring thoughts [that] are the most valuable gift to me. The inspirational support SBBSM has given my son means so much to me, and I deeply appreciate it, writes Nguyen’s mom, Van Nguyen, in an e-mail.

The South Bay Blue Star Moms and community volunteers will fill care packages—actually, flat rate USPS boxes—for the troops at the American Legion Post 564, 2120 Walsh Avenue, Santa Clara, 9 a.m. to noon April 2. They could use donations of items to pack or cash to purchase items. For information and items to donate, visit www.southbaybluestarmoms.org. Click on the Support tab then on Troop Requests List. Donations are tax deductible.

You can take donations to Drop Zone at AllSafe Self Storage, 3033 Lafayette Street, Santa Clara, seven days a week, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ( ask for Tom or Lee Hood). Care packages are mailed to the troops four times a year. April 2 and June 18 are the next two dates.

SBBSM also invites you to write notes, postcards, and letters with positive, encouraging messages to include in the Care packages. Send mail to South Bay Blue Star Moms, P.O. Box 60907, Sunnyvale, CA 94088-0907. For information, check the website, e-mail bluestarmomssb@yahoo.com, or leave a message at (408) 235-9835.

I know my son and the troops are very happy knowing that they are loved by many people, [and that] their sacrifice and service are greatly appreciated, writes Van Nguyen.

A flag with a blue star displayed in the window of a home means that a son, daughter, or other loved one is on active military duty. A gold star flag means that a loved one has died while serving.