Special Night
Blue Star Mothers to host Military Appreciation Night Friday
Photo submitted by Julie Wilson Retired Army National Guard veteran Julie Wilson currently serves as an AMVETS veteran service officer. She partnered with the Blue Star Mothers and the Warren Sports Boosters to organize Friday’s Military Appreciation Night. She is pictured here with her son, Warren Dragons senior defensive end Reed Wilson.
Photo by Meghan Rowland During last year’s Military Appreciation Night, Hannah Lund and Josie Elm comfort a friend missing a family member who was deployed.
Photo submitted by Julie Wilson Retired Army National Guard veteran Julie Wilson currently serves as an AMVETS veteran service officer. She partnered with the Blue Star Mothers and the Warren Sports Boosters to organize Friday’s Military Appreciation Night. She is pictured here with her son, Warren Dragons senior defensive end Reed Wilson.
Photo by Meghan Rowland During last year’s Military Appreciation Night, Hannah Lund and Josie Elm comfort a friend missing a family member who was deployed.
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The Blue Star Mothers of Kinzua PA203 will hold its annual Military Appreciation Night at the Warren Dragons football game on Friday, Sept. 4, at War Memorial Field on Lexington Avenue, Warren.
The gate fee is waived for veterans. Eisenhower High School is set for an Oct. 8 date for an additional appreciation night with gate fees at half off.
"Blue Star Mothers will recognize and appreciate anyone and everyone that’s in the military," said Skyla Govier, Blue Star Mothers of Kinzua PA203 founder and president.
In its third year, organizers have coordinated with several veteran organizations both local and out of the area. Staff Sgt. Mariah Britton, Army National Guard recruiter, will attend both events. Support from Charlie Company 1 Battalion of the 112th Infantry Regiment unit from Lewis Run, Pa., are sending a static vehicle in the parking lot.
Representatives from local veteran organizations include VFW/AMVETS in Clarendon, American Legion in Warren, the DAV (Disabled American Veterans) drivers from Warren, and the Warren County United Veterans Council. Designated spots on the bleachers for veterans to sit together if they wish, will be provided and decorated.
After the band plays during halftime, Govier will speak and ask veterans to come out to the field to be honored including any family members of the football players, band players, or cheerleaders, who are encouraged to come out onto the field with them. This also includes the away team.
The Blue Star Mothers will give out shirts, provided by Rob Irvin, a combat veteran from Sugar Grove.
"So our very first year, the bus driver of the other team came over, and he was a veteran, and he had tears in his eyes and said he had never been thanked for his service and how much it meant to him that we were doing this. I can remember the first year we did it, the sports announcers for Warren commented on how they didn't believe they've ever had something like this and how it is really amazing to have," Govier said.