Local moms start organization

Lafayette - These mothers all have one thing in common sons who gave their lives for this county. Now Warren County resident Brenda Wilson and this handful of mothers have become the local chapter of Gold Star Mothers, Incorporated. Wilson said their first mission is to find new members for this organization that dates back to 1928.

"We want to reach out to the Vietnam era mothers. I know there must be a lot of them out there that have lost sons or daughters. They do not have to have lost them during a time of war. As long as they were in active military duty," said Wilson, the mother of Marine Corporal Bryan Wilson.

A Christmas tree has brought the group together for the holiday. A photo of fallen soldiers from the Hoosier state, along with a name engraved dog tag make up each ornament. Decorating this tree became the first project for this newly formed group. Lafayette resident Dana Morton said they will also help others.

"Some volunteer work just to let it be known that our organization is out there. To help serve veterans and military families," said Morton, the mother of John Patrick Morton, Jr, who served as a Senior Airman in Italy.

Morton wants Indiana to join 34 other states which have Gold Star Mothers license plates. While the General Assembly did not pass prior bills authorizing the plates the newly formed group has put working with the legislature at the top of its agenda.

"The past legislation was for a Gold Star Mothers plate and we're hoping to have it passed as a Gold Star families plate so that the siblings and other members of the family, immediate family would be able to display those plates as well so they're more of them out there," said Morton.

135 ornaments adorn the Christmas tree, which is the total number of Indiana's fallen soldiers.

To join the local chapter of Gold Star Mothers, Inc. contact Brenda Wilson at 765-762-3837 or send an email to bryansplace@sbcglobal.dot net. The moms will officially meet next month.