A million stars thank U.S. troops, veterans
Susan Wells of Troy has led scores of Stars for Our Troops volunteers who have garnered thanks a million.
For the past 11 years they have been cutting stars out of tattered and faded American flags. After each flag is donated, volunteers cut, wash and dry the blue canton before they cut the embroidered stars for placement in see-through pouches, according to Wells.
They attach a message to each star that says: “I am part of the American flag that has flown over a home in the USA. I can no longer fly. In the sun and wind, I have become tattered and torn but not forgotten. Please carry me as a reminder that you are NOT forgotten.”
Dozens are placed in bags and given to volunteers for distribution and shipment across the U.S. for distribution to veterans, military personnel and first responders.
Stars for Our Troops first launched its effort 11 years ago at the Mckenna Military Courtesy Room at Albany International Airport in Colonie. Stars are sent in care packages to troops deployed to Iraq, Kuwait and elsewhere overseas. Stars are also handed out during veterans’ events and job fairs for military personnel and veterans.
Wells said she has received thank-you notes from troops in Afghanistan,
Iraq, Kuwait and elsewhere. Many of the recipients carry their stars with them at all times. Wells and her army of volunteers have received national recognition for their patriotic efforts.
Barry Casey, president of the National Independent Flag Dealers Association, presented the organization’s George Washington Award for Excellence to Wells, founder of Stars for Our Troops.
“For over 11 years, Susan Wells and her volunteers have repurposed embroidered stars from retired American flags, creating over 1 million
thank-you mementos for U.S. active military, veterans and first responders,” Casey said after the presentation. “The award recognizes an individual who has performed extraordinary service to the flag industry; set an example of excellence, integrity and professionalism for a prolonged period of time; shares advice and wisdom with others, both inside and outside the industry; and is interested in flags and banners, particularly the American flag as a symbol of patriotism and the heritage of our country.”
Wells has helped start numerous other Stars for Our Troops groups
throughout the country. New Stars for Our Troops volunteers are always welcome.
Star parties are held from 6 to 8 p.m. on the second Thursday and the fourth Wednesday of each month at the Cohoes-waterford Elks Lodge at 45 N. Mohawk St.
Because of the holidays, they will not have parties in November and December, but will start up again in January.
People who want to donate used flags may do so by leaving them at the lower-level entrance at the Cohoes-waterford Elks Lodge with the name and address of the donor so the group can acknowledge receipt of the flags.
Or flags may be mailed to Stars for Our Troops, P.O. Box 301, Troy NY 12182-0301.
“It is important to realize we will accept all flags, but will not be using any flag that does not state ‘Made in the USA,’” Wells said. “Foreignmade USA flags are being sold, but will not be used to create Stars for Our Troops to give to our military, veterans or first responders.”
Donations are also needed to finance postage and shipping. Send Stars for Our Troops donations to Susan Wells, P.O. Box 301, Troy, NY 12182-0301.
Free turkeys
The Tully Rinckey law firm and Price Chopper/ Market 32 will provide 250 free Thanksgiving turkeys to Capital Region active-duty military personnel and retired military personnel from noon to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Price Chopper parking lot, Colonie Plaza, 1892 Central Ave., Colonie.
Turkeys will be available on a first-come, first-served basis with proof of service/military ID. Turkeys will be distributed via a drive-in process: Veterans will pull up to a distribution area and a Tully Rickey volunteer will load their turkey.
Scholarships
Excelsior College has received a $25,000 donation from SEFCU to fund scholarships for veterans. The scholarships will go to veterans in financial need attending the college.
Fifteen percent of Excelsior’s students are veterans, according to Erin Coufal, college spokesperson. With SEFCU’S donation, Excelsior will award annual scholarships to veteran students to focus on their pursuits.