Sandy Baer, President
Santa Clarita Valley -- Chapter 91

I’m a native Californian. I’ve been married 25 years; my husband and I have a son and a daughter and two grandsons.

Our son Larry Jr., who we call LB, has wanted to be in the military since he was able to talk.

He would ask for army men and gear for his birthdays and Christmas. He would set those little soldiers up all through the house and out side. He had a pet goat that he would play with all day in the back yard, that goat was part of his Cavalry. Everything that kid wore would have to be camouflage. He learned all about the military by watching the History Channel just about everyday. He knew about all the wars, where they took place and who the generals were.

He would gather all the kids from the neighborhood and they would dress up in camouflage including the face paint. They would go up into the mountains and set up camp for the week-end. He could not wait for school to end or for the weekends.

He joined the Army right after September 11, 2001, that dreadful day that changed America.

When he told his father and me that he joined the Army we were so proud, but also worried with the war that we were already in. Being the last male in a family of all females, he did not have to join. The recruiter called to get our feedback. He wanted to know if it was OK with his father and me. With a heavy heart we gave him our blessings. The recruiter then told me that he explained to Larry that boot camp was tough and he laughed and said that LB had told him, “You don’t know my mom.”

LB started boot camp in April 2002 at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He waited until he completed boot camp to tell us he signed up with the 10th Mountain Division in New York. That meant that he would move his family clear across the United States. I had never been on a plane before in my life till I went to visit my son and his family. LB introduced me to his Sergeant, the Sergeant’s wife and the soldiers in his unit. I was very thankful for his the wife, Kim, who helped LB and his wife make the transition of the move easier.

LB’s first deployment to Afghanistan was for one year. Eight months later he was deployed to Iraq for six months. He has since moved back to California and is stationed in San Diego, assigned to Homeland Security at the San Diego border.

I first found out about the Blue Star Mothers when a former Blue Star Associate member followed my car for about two miles while I was driving around Santa Clarita. I finally pulled over in and stopped in a parking lot. With hesitation I put my car in park and flew out of my car. She started waving her arms to let me know that she meant me no harm. She said that she saw the military stickers on the back window of my truck and wanted to let me know about the Blue Star Mothers.

I have been a member since August 2004. With much pride and dignity I hung a Blue Star Banner in my window for all to see.

When LB was in Iraq at Christmastime he informed me that a soldier was transferred to his unit from another state and that his pregnant wife and three children had no money for Christmas. I contacted Tina Perez, then the president of the SCV Chapter of the Blue Star Mothers. She then contacted the National President, who at the time lived in New York and in turn contacted someone else.

Toys for Tots stepped up to and made it possible for the soldier's family to have a wonderful Christmas with a complete dinner. When I told LB and his unit, they were very excited for this family, and the morale of their unit was boosted high knowing that people like the Blue Star Mothers were out there.

It has been my privilege to be part of an organization so proud to honor our Troops and Veterans. I have been an active member, participating at Wal-Mart Military Round-Ups, Memorial Dedications, Deployments, and visits to our VA Hospitals and nursing homes.

The last two years have kept me grounded, just being with other moms in the same situation, and rallying the community to help us send gift and care packages to our Troops for the holidays and throughout the year.

‘Til They All Come Home, Let Us Keep the Home Fires Burning.

Sandy Baer