Two new hometown heroes

By Dr. Ginger Gabriel – Special to the Alpine Mountaineer

The Rim Blue Star Moms created their own parade recently when they installed two new military service banners.

First in line was Justin Cecil Logging’s bucket truck with installers Joe Padilla, an Army veteran, and Cannen Buelna, a Marine veteran. Following the truck were several cars with Blue Star Moms and families and friends to participate in the raising of the banners.

The two new banners celebrate Ian Phillips and Joshua Black. Phillip’s banner is across from the Crestline post office and Black’s is in Blue Jay across from the former theater. The mountain communities are proud of these young men who have stepped up to serve. These hometown heroes banners line the main streets of Crestline, Lake Gregory, Twin Peaks, Agua Fria, Blue Jay and Running Springs.

Some people who have noticed these banners have asked, “Who are these hometown heroes?”  The answer they usually get is: “They are your neighbors, your family, your classmates, people you grew up with, your brothers, your sisters, people you went to church with!” However, if you’re new to town, you won’t know these names or these faces. Maybe you are just learning about the character of our towns.

As one mother, Jane, said, “We can be fiercely loyal and proud of our kids. We don’t want any of our service kids in the military to feel forgotten.”

Snowmageddon took a toll on these banners. Some needed to be repaired and some replaced due to storm damage.

Some of our neighbors, friends or family have given their lives in service to our country.  You will notice not all banners have blue stars. The blue star represents a member in active duty. When service to the armed forces is completed, that banner comes down and is given to the family. A gold star is displayed if a member is killed in action or dies in service. A silver star is displayed for a member who had been wounded or disabled.

Recently, Chasen Upshaw’s gold star banner was repaired. “Chasen’s greatest joy was (serving in) the Marine Corps,” said his mother, Patti. “Every time I go by his banner, my heart feels a warmth of his presence.”

Donald Mitchell’s mom was standing by his banner across from the Crestline post office. “Donald loved the Army and being a Blackhawk crew chief,” she said. “He loved his family, his wife and his friends. We will always remember his kindness and miss him still after 33 years.”

Jeffrey Roberson was killed in action in Afghanistan. “I would like to thank the Blue Star Moms for all they do in keeping all our service members (active and KIA) in our hearts,” his father, Mike, said.

Patrick Wade’s gold star banner was also replaced. “Patrick was a man of few words and lots of action,” his mother, Kathleen said. “The Navy was his career; he was killed four days before his retirement. We all miss him terribly.”

The Blue Star Moms are not given a list of the men and women from our mountain who have stepped up to serve. Often it is the parents or grandparents who contact the Blue Star Moms, fill out the form, pay the expenses involved and join the group of people who gather for the raising of the banners.

For more information on the Rim chapter of Blue Star Moms, visit www.rimbluestarmoms.org, where you can make a donation, honor a service person or join the nonprofit organization. The cost of a banner to the Blue Star Moms is $350.