Michigan Sen. Veronica Klinefelt, D-Eastpointe, third from right, has co-sponsored Bill No. 235, which is a bipartisan effort to establish Feb. 1 as “Blue Star Mother’s Day” in Michigan.
By: Maria Allard | Roseville-Eastpointe Eastsider | Published June 20, 2023
LANSING — A special day to recognize mothers whose children have served or are serving in the military is being considered in the Michigan Legislature.
On June 7, the Michigan Senate passed Bill No. 235, a bipartisan bill to establish Feb. 1 as “Blue Star Mother’s Day” in Michigan. The bill passed the Senate unanimously, 38-0, and no members were absent.
On March 23, 2023, Sen. Rick Outman, R-Six Lakes, introduced the bill. Sen. Veronica Klinefelt, D-Eastpointe, was one of several sponsors of Bill No. 235. Klinefelt is the chair of the Michigan Senate Veterans and Emergency Services Committee.
“It is a privilege to be part of honoring those women in such a meaningful way,” Klinefelt said in a prepared statement. “Their continuous support of those fighting to preserve our freedom and liberty is worthy of recognition and applause. I am grateful for the Blue Star Mothers in my family, and all the Blue Star moms around the state who do so much for our servicemembers and our communities.”
“The Blue Star Mothers of America go above and beyond to support the men and women who serve this nation,” Outman said in a prepared statement. “They honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice, visit injured service members in the hospital, help provide support to families who have lost a loved one, and many other volunteer efforts. Blue Star Mothers do incredible work and handle a difficult and emotional task with grace. They do so much for veterans and their families — this legislation is about thanking them for the work they do.”
According to a press release from Klinefelt’s office, the bill is currently before the House Government Operations Committee, but it is unclear how soon it will be taken up. Since it is a Senate bill, if the House passes the bill, it has to come back to the Senate one final time before it is sent to the governor to sign it into law. If the Senate finalizes the bill in 2023, the official Blue Star Mother’s Day would be in place for 2024.
The Blue Star Mothers of America Inc. was founded in Michigan in 1942. The moms came together after the attack on Pearl Harbor Dec. 7, 1941, in which Michigan native Jack Pitcher died aboard the USS West Virginia. The nonprofit, nonpartisan organization supports each other and their children while promoting patriotism.
Since forming, the organization’s members have assembled care packages to send overseas, hosted events and fundraisers at their homes, and participated in funeral or memorial ceremonies. They also volunteer to assist with various veteran programs.
More information about the Blue Star Mothers of America Inc. can be found at bluestarmothers.org.