Blue Star Mothers of America - Iowa Chapter

06/21/2026

Dads are superheroes in the eyes of their children. Happy Father’s Day to all of our past and present uniformed crusaders!

06/20/2026

Iowa National Guard Iowa National Guard Warrior and Family Services Branch PURPLE COMMUNITY AWARD Recognition Presentation

2025 brought us so many blessings, opportunities, and moments of joy. We are truly humbled and honored by the special recognition of receiving the Purple Community Recognition Award. Because of this recognition we will now be automatically submitted to be chosen for the National Award!!!
While we are so grateful, our greatest reward is knowing that through all of our efforts, service members, veterans, and military families feel supported and loved. That mission is what continues to inspire us every single day.

Thank you to of our community supporters AND our BSM sisters who have shown up throughout the entire year 💙
2025 was amazing but 2026 is going to be outstanding!!!!

06/20/2026

Treat Dad to some BBQ for Father’s Day tomorrow and help the Iowa Blue Star Moms!

Our friends at Jethro's BBQ will donate 15% of your total bill when you show them the graphic below OR tell them to “hit the Blue Star Mom button” at the end of your meal!!!

This is for dine-in & takeout at ALL LOCATIONS including Jethro's BBQ Iowa City - Coralville so treat Dad and help our Moms at the same time!

06/19/2026

On this RED FRIDAY we must never forget the devotion, challenges and risks of ALL service members EVERYWHERE at ALL TIMES, both here and abroad.

We honor and remember Iowa’s Major Brad Hovey on this RED FRIDAY for his devotion to our country and for his sacrifice.

Artwork credit: The Freedom Rock

06/18/2026

Tomorrow is Friday, DO YOU HAVE YOUR SHIRT????
No, you don’t??? Oh no! Let’s fix that, we have 2 options!!!!!

1) Order your shirt online and have it delivered to your door!!! Just click this link!
https://authentic-brand.com/store/collections/wear-red-on-fridays/wear-red-on-friday-t-shirt-blank-cl-162787

2) Come to the Iowa National Guard Concert Series tonight on Camp Dodge at 6:30pm to get your comfy spot to hear the Army Rock Band & swing by our Blue Star Mom tent to buy your shirt on site!!!

$20 each. Sizes S-3XL

Why? Because ALL Fridays should be RED FRIDAYS - Remember Everyone Deployed, Defending & Devoted!

06/17/2026

We send our deepest condolences to the families of the 8 current & former service members tragically lost in this week’s California B-52 bomber crash, including Algona, Iowa native Major Brad Hovey.
Our thoughts, prayers, love & support are with them all.

06/17/2026

Question: What do you get when….
• There’s 80+ Iowans away from home that deserve a care package???
• America is celebrating 250 years of independence & history????
• Moms who ❤️ celebrating milestone birthdays & ❤️❤️❤️ supporting our military children????

Answer: you get a group of Moms who gather together on a Monday afternoon to pack & ship 80+ AMERICA’S BIRTHDAY BOX CARE PACKAGES!!!

THANK YOU to our Moms that donated items and funds.
THANK YOU to our Moms that built boxes, stuffed boxes with goodies from Iowa & sealed them with the love that only a Mother can.
THANK YOU to the businesses and community members that supported us with donations & needs when we called them.
THANK YOU to the Iowa Gold Star Military Museum for letting us use their space for our AO for this special mission.

This was a great warm up for our upcoming annual care package week this fall where our goal is to pack & ship another 3,000 to our Iowa military around the country and the world!!! Stay tuned for those details in the coming weeks!!!

06/16/2026

The last 5 Iowa NG Mommas who have been waiting for these final 5 soldiers to come home are breathing sighs of relief and getting SO EXCITED to hug their kiddos soon!!!

🇺🇸 Welcome Home! 🇺🇸

The final five Iowa Army National Guard Soldiers deployed to the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility have officially returned to the United States.

Assigned to Detachment 6, 2nd Battalion, 641st Aviation Regiment (Operational Support Airlift Command), these Soldiers supported Operation Spartan Shield and played an important role in advancing regional security objectives while serving overseas.

Their return marks a significant milestone as all Iowa Army National Guard Soldiers who deployed during this deployment cycle have now safely returned home.

“We are incredibly proud of these Soldiers and all those who answered the call to serve. Their professionalism, adaptability, and dedication in an ever-changing operational environment reflect the very best of the Iowa National Guard.” - Maj. Gen. Osborn

Welcome home, and thank you for your service. Iowa is proud of you.

06/14/2026

Happy Flag Day! These Stars & Stripes have been our symbol of freedom & strength since June 14, 1776! We hope you’re all flying yours proudly today.

“You're a grand old flag
You're a high-flying flag
And forever in peace may you wave
You're the emblem of
The land I love
The home of the free and the brave
Every heart beats true
Under Red, White and Blue”