Semper Fi Parents of the Hudson Valley
Founder Paula Zwillinger was a Blue Star Mother when she founded Semper Fi Parents in 2005, when her son Lance Corporal Robert Mininger was on active duty in the U. S. Marines. The Blue Star Banner is presented by the American Legion to all families with members in military service during wartime. The Gold Star Banner is presented to families with a family member who has lost his or her life in combat. Zwillinger became a Gold Star Mother in June of 2005, when Robert was killed in action in Iraq. Her younger son Gregory is now a lance corporal in the U. S. Marine Reserves.
While Robert was in boot camp, Zwillinger founded Semper Fi Parents of the Hudson Valley as a support group for military families in this community.
More than 80 families now belong from all branches of the United States Armed Forces: Marines, Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard.
In summing up their own mission, the members of Semper Fi Parents write, “Our focused goal is to support those who are in the military, both deployed and stateside. We engage with the community to raise funds to offset the cost of shipping packages to our troops, educate parents by hosting informational sessions, and offer educational scholarships in the memory of our Fallen Heroes to help those who are recently discharged from the service. Our children who protect and honor our country are a special breed of people. The work of Semper Fi Parents enables us to feel useful and productive while our children face the hardest battles of all. It is with a most gracious heart that we express a profound gratitude for your love, support and generosity.”
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