Bakersfield, CA - This Memorial Day, mom's of service members are gathering to honor those who've lost a child in the military. Blue Star Mothers of America is a group for moms of service members. The Kern River Chapter just formed. They will be part of the Memorial Day service at Greenlawn Funeral Home, paying tribute to fallen soldiers and the mom's they've left behind.
Blue Star Moms started in the 1940's as a support system during World War II. The group's name comes from the Blue Star flag, signifying having a child in military service.
Kern River Chapter President Shonda Abercrombie says, "It's a unique place to be as a mom and we found that we really we only found solace with each other."
Abercrombie has 22-year-old twin daughters. One is currently serving in the Army, the other will report to active duty in August. She says she didn't know what to expect when her first daughter went into the military.
"I've seen her mature. You send a kid off who can't pick their backpack up off the floor after school and the next thing you know they're carrying a weapon, at war. It's very unnatural, we talk about that a lot in Blue Star Moms. It's unnatural for a mom to send your children off into harm," says Abercrombie.
After her daughter went into the Army, she became part of the Blue Star Moms.
"We try to stay incredibly strong for them while they're gone. That's why when we meet as women we fall apart together. We do a lot of tissue at our meeting, but for our soldiers when we're showing face with them, we have to show that strong front," says Abercrombie.
Through the group, Abercrombie has not only learned how to be a strong mother, but also how to make a difference in the lives of other soldiers.
"After I of course greeted and hugged and kissed on my own child, I found myself walking around trying to find soldiers who are wondering around by themselves and made sure that they all felt like somebody was glad to have them home," says Abercrombie.
Abercrombie says she realized the important role mothers play in the soldiers' lives.
The group meets the first Monday of every month at the Hall Ambulance Community Center from 6-8 p.m.
Blue Star Moms started in the 1940's as a support system during World War II. The group's name comes from the Blue Star flag, signifying having a child in military service.
Kern River Chapter President Shonda Abercrombie says, "It's a unique place to be as a mom and we found that we really we only found solace with each other."
Abercrombie has 22-year-old twin daughters. One is currently serving in the Army, the other will report to active duty in August. She says she didn't know what to expect when her first daughter went into the military.
"I've seen her mature. You send a kid off who can't pick their backpack up off the floor after school and the next thing you know they're carrying a weapon, at war. It's very unnatural, we talk about that a lot in Blue Star Moms. It's unnatural for a mom to send your children off into harm," says Abercrombie.
After her daughter went into the Army, she became part of the Blue Star Moms.
"We try to stay incredibly strong for them while they're gone. That's why when we meet as women we fall apart together. We do a lot of tissue at our meeting, but for our soldiers when we're showing face with them, we have to show that strong front," says Abercrombie.
Through the group, Abercrombie has not only learned how to be a strong mother, but also how to make a difference in the lives of other soldiers.
"After I of course greeted and hugged and kissed on my own child, I found myself walking around trying to find soldiers who are wondering around by themselves and made sure that they all felt like somebody was glad to have them home," says Abercrombie.
Abercrombie says she realized the important role mothers play in the soldiers' lives.
The group meets the first Monday of every month at the Hall Ambulance Community Center from 6-8 p.m.
