Brian Hagberg
WARREN, Pa. – The Blue Star Mothers of Kinzua PA 203 held a banquet to honor high school seniors who are entering the Armed Forces upon graduation at the North Warren Presbyterian Community Center on Saturday.
Each student was presented with a red, white, and blue cord to be worn with their graduation gown, a gift bag, a poem for each student’s mother, a handmade eagle courtesy of Becky Jameson, and a challenge coin designed by Blue Star Mothers.
Challenge coins are part of the military tradition. Organizations will design their own coin, or medallion, bearing the organization’s insignia or emblem. Historically, challenge coins are presented by unit commanders in recognition of special achievement by a member of the unit.
“We, military mothers, noticed that those seniors choosing to serve their country didn’t get the recognition and support they truly deserve. We wanted to give it to them,” Blue Star Mothers said.
Thirteen seniors were honored at the banquet. Honored were: Mary Muzzy (Marines), Nicholas Joseph (Army, and Wyatt Lindsey (Marines) from Sheffield; Makenna Moore (Air Force) from Eisenhower; Bryce Blair (National Guard), Tristan Dolan (National Guard), Christopher Gardiner (Marines), Matthew Collins (Marines), Alex Huffman (Army), Aden Savko (Army), and Hunter Feeny (Coast Guard) from Warren; Cooper Nystrom (National Guard) and Trey Howe (Army) from Kane.
“Our hearts and appreciation go out to these brave students who have decided to be the one percent who join our nation’s great military,” said BSM committee head Lori Phillips.
The banquet featured a trio of speakers including State Rep. Kathy Rapp, Lt. Col. Meagan Thrush (USSF), and the first vice president of Blue Star Mothers of Kinzua Lynette Ristau.
