"Yukon Gold Star Moms of Alaska"
We are an organization of moms who have lost one of our children, son or daughter, in the service of our country.
If you have lost a child, and would like to be a part of our
New "Yukon Gold Star Moms of Alaska Chapter", please email and let us know...we will get back with you as soon as possible!
"No one knows how we feel, like another mother who has lost their child".
We now have 8 mothers in our new Alaska Chapter...let me introduce them...
Donnetta Rogers, Diane Cleveland, Margaret Woods, Angela Anderson, Kathy Allen, Teresa Melson, Judy Tiffner, and Kenita Stenroos.
After the death of our son PFC Jessy Scott Rogers, on July 23, 2007', I knew I needed to do something to "honor" my sons Ultimate Sacrafice. While online, searching for the families of Jessys buddies who were also killed with him, I noticed that a couple of the moms were involved with a "Gold Star Mothers online support group" . I was later emailed by a mother who served on the National Gold Star Mothers board as Vicepresident, Ruth Stonesfier Army PFC Jessy Scott Rogers Chickaloon, Alaska
Sept.2, 1986 / 7-23-07
503rd Infantry Regiment
173rd Airborne Brigade
Sarobi SE Afghanistan
"Gold Star Mom" Donnetta
Rogers...
She asked me if I might
be interested in getting a
Alaska chapter started, since
there was not one available in our state.
I was MORE THAN READY to jump right in and get one underway! It had been only 10 months since Jessys passing, but I NEEDED to use my grieving in a "constructive" way, rather than in a "destructive" way, by doing nothing at all. So Ruth took me "under her wings" so to speak, and she gave me all the help that she could via email, and then invited me to D.C. to join in the Memorial Day ceremonies and meet with many other moms who had also lost children while in service to their country.
Well, I recently made that journey to Washington D.C., over this past Memorial Day 2008', and was invited to stay at the AGSM Headquarters. It was a true HONOR getting acquainted with other "moms" who had also lost their loved one, be it son or daughter, in war. It was truly a humbling experience! During my brief stay, we were involved with many Memorial Day Ceremonies. A VERY emotional experience for me!
Army Capt. Benjamin David Tiffner
Age31 Soldotna, Alaska
KIA November 7, 2007
1st Battalion
5th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Baghdad, Iraq
"Gold Star Mom" Judy Tiffner
Then back at headquarters, I was able to get alot of "much needed" advice from many of the mothers about getting Alaskas "First" Gold Star chapter started in our state. I took plenty of notes, and gathered all the necessary paperwork/info. I needed to accomplish that task, and moved forward with a "very special mission", which was VERY MUCH NEEDED for those "mothers of the fallen" and their families in our great state.
Our Mission Statement...
The mission for "Gold Star Moms of Alaska" is this...
To locate, and make contact with those mothers who have lost a son or daughter in service to our country. It is with the greatest love and compassion, that we offer our friendship and a shoulder to cry on. "No one knows how we feel like a mother who has lost a child."
Our vision for Army Sgt. Derek
Stenroos
North Pole, Alaska
"Gold Star Moms KIA November 5, 2007
of Alaska" is much 1st Brigade Combat Team
broader...as 10th Mountain Division
we reach out to each of Tal Al-Dahab, Iraq
these "GoldStarMom"Kenita Stenroos"
mothers, sharing the
beautiful
memories of our childs life here
on earth, and then, that heart
wrenching "day" that is FOREVER
locked in our memory, when we
were informed that our child was "killed in action". Each and every time that we "tell our own personal stories", we grow stronger and stronger...mind, body and spirit!
It is at this critical point, that we the "mothers of the fallen" can choose to make the greatest impact in our families and communties..."honoring" the Utimate Sacrafice of our children for OUR FREEDOM, and NOT choosing to believe it was a total waste.
It is our vision and determination, to let NO SOLDIERS MEMORY EVER BE FORGOTTEN! It is with great HONOR and DUTY that we give of ourselves, to the SUPPORT of our troops, and all veterans and their families.
Army Spc. Shane W. Woods
Age23 Palmer, Alaska
KIA August 9, 2006
1st Battalion, 37th Armor Regiment
1st Armored Division
Ramadi, Iraq
"Gold Star Mom" Margaret Woods
Army Spc. Jacob E. Melson
Age22 Wasilla, Alaska
KIA January 7, 2006
1st Batallion
207th Aviation Regiment
Alaska Army National Guard
Tal Afar, Iraq
"Gold Star Mom" Teresa Melson
Army PFC Adare W. Cleveland
Age19 Anchorage, Alaska
KIA February 19, 2007
1st Squad. 89th Cavalry Regiment
2nd Brigade Combat Team
10th Mountain Division
Baghdad, Iraq
"Gold Star Mom"Diane Cleveland
Army Sgt. Kurtis D.K. Arcala
Age 22 Palmer, Alaska
KIA September 11, 2005
2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment
3rd Infantry Division
Tikrit, Iraq
"Gold Star Mom" Angela Anderson
Army Staff Sgt. Charles D. Allen
Age28 Wasilla, Alaska
KIA January 4, 2007
296th Brigade Support Battalion
3rd Brigade
2nd Infantry Division
Baghdad, Iraq
"Gold Star Mom" Kathy Allen
Marine Lance Cpl. Grant B. Fraser
Age22 Anchorage, Alaska
KIA August 3, 2005
Regimental Combat Team 2
2nd Marine Division
Il Marine Expeditionary Force
South of Haditha, Iraq
"Gold Star Mom" Sharon Long/Fraser
Army Staff Sgt. Carletta Davis
Age34 Anchorage, Alaska
KIA November 5, 2007
10th Brigade Support Battalion
1st Brigade Combat Team
10th Mountain Division
Tal Al-Dahab, Iraq
"Gold Star Mom" Lavada Napier
Marine Cpl. Michael H. Lasky
Age22 Sterling, Alaska
KIA November 2, 2006
4th Reconnaissance Battalion
4th Marine Division
Marine Force Reserves
Anbar Province, Iraq
"Gold Star Mom" Carol Lasky
Army Sgt. Matthew C. Bohling
Age22 Eagle River, Alaska
KIA September 5, 2005
2nd Battalion, 69th Army Regiment
3rd Brigade
3rd Infantry Division
Ramadi, Iraq
"Gold Star Mom" Sandra Bohling
Still under construction...
