OCALA, FL (352today.com) – It was an internet search that led Anne Parker to an organization that has played a significant role in her life.

Blue Star Mothers of America was congressionally chartered in 1960, but Parker’s journey with the organization started in 2007.  She has children who have served in the military for 17 and 18 years, both reaching the rank of Lt. Col.

“My son’s a ranger. He’s been deployed seven times. He currently works for the Joint Chiefs of Staff,” says Parker. “My daughter is a physical therapist and has treated a lot of soldiers over the years and is in command of a medical unit in Maryland now.”

It was when her daughter went active duty that Parker began looking for a way to connect with other mothers whose children were also serving in the military.

Parker’s family had no military background, even though two of her three children joined the service. She was married to a veteran, but they tied the knot long after his time in the military was over. They both signed up for ROTC after their mother said they needed a way to fund their college. Her son, who wasn’t interested in the military, decided to play football instead.

“My husband was a defense contractor, so I had a little bit of an idea about deploying,” said Parker. “He had been to Germany, and we had actually been living in Germany when my daughter went active duty. No one in my immediate family had ever served in the military. My grandfather was a farmer. He was exempt from military service because he was raising food for us. My father was the sole support of his family, and as such, back in the day he was exempt from service. I really didn’t know a whole lot about this.”

A mother on a mission 

When Parker returned to the United States, she helped form a Blue Star Mothers of America chapter in South Carolina and lived there for about nine years. Her husband spent that time working as an aviation contractor in both Iraq and Afghanistan.

“I came back and became an active member in the American Legion Auxiliary in South Carolina, in North Myrtle Beach,” says Parker. “And that unit, once I joined them, encouraged me to form the Blue Star Mother’s Chapter. We did that chapter, and that chapter thrived for many years.”

When Parker relocated to Florida she started a chapter in Ocala, one that now boasts about 25 members.

“They’re some of the hardest working ladies that I’ve been affiliated with,” says Parker, who is a past national president of the organization.

The chapter’s mission in three-fold, says Parker. The mission revolves around the military, veterans, and families of the fallen.

“Everybody thinks when they see a Blue Star Mother that just means that they have children that are active duty,” says Parker. “Our membership is both active-duty mothers and veteran mothers. We also welcome Gold Star Mothers, even though they have their own separate organization. The theory is once your child signs on the dotted line, you’re always a Blue Star Mother. You may not belong to the national organization, but you’re always a Blue Star Mother by virtue of your child’s service.”

Community involvement

Blue Star Mothers has been active in Ocala with the Marion County Veterans Council. Every week, a volunteer from the nonprofit is present at Veterans Helping Veterans. They actively support the Ocala-Marion County Veterans Memorial Park and the National Guard in Ocala. They also volunteer at the VA Hospital in Gainesville, where they help hospitalized patients by providing essential toiletries. Many patients are not ready for a hospital stay after an appointment and do not expect to be admitted.

“We did a dinner for them last year when they all finally got back to Ocala,” says Parker. “It took two years to get them all back. We had a nice lunch with the help of Mission BBQ. We have supported them. We also support Operation Shoebox that sends thousands and thousands of boxes. Our service goes 12 months a year.”

Ocala Blue Star Mothers has also partnered with the Vietnam Veterans Commemorative Foundation honoring those veterans who served during the Vietnam War, having presented more than 1,100 pins.

The nonprofit recently collected over $5,000 during Give4Marion charitable campaign.

Fundraiser

Blue Star Mothers is teaming up with the Ocala-Marion County Veterans Memorial Park to host a car show on November 10, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the veterans’ park. The money raised will support Ocala Blue Star Mothers. The website also highlights the craft projects made by the chapter’s members.

“We have the opportunity for people to register any kind of vehicle – Jeeps or cars for $15 – and they can show up that morning and pay $20,” says Parker. “But if they register early on our website, the first 50 registrants will receive a t-shirt – whether it’s online or a check is mailed to our P.O. Box.”

Parker says that the event will feature a DJ, food trucks, and all kinds of crafts. There will be fireworks after the event and the Kingdom of the Sun Concert Band will be perform at 6 p.m.

“They’re wanting to put a Blue Star Mother’s Memorial Monument in the park. There’s one for the Gold Star Mothers and Wives,” says Parker. “This will be part of what the fundraiser will go to.”

The cost to register as a vendor is $30. Make sure to pre-register by October 18. You can send a check to P.O. Box 770824, Ocala, FL, 34477 to register. You can also find vendor and car registration on the website. For more details, call (843) 504-0032 or email President.fl10.@blustarmothers.us.