AGSM San Jose Chapter

08/18/2025

Our monthly lunch with our Veterans at the Palo Alto VA was, once again, a meal fit for an Army. As we walked in, we were greeted by a heartfelt sign: “Thank you Gold Star families.” We were all excited to see that Colleen Reilly (Recreation Therapist) was back with us. Welcome back Colleen!

We had a smaller group on Saturday (8/16), but each Veteran present made it so special. The feast began with appetizers—always served with the familiar reminder, “Don’t fill up, there’s more to come!”

Two of our Veterans took charge of the grill, barbecuing burgers, hot dogs, and hot links. Alongside them came potato and Caesar salads, baked beans, fruit, and of course Grandma Betty’s famous Watergate salad—always a crowd favorite.

And then came dessert—chocolate ten times over! We celebrated the Heavenly birthdays of Steven and Sean with their favorite treats: Steven’s chocolate cake and Sean’s brownies. Jan’s granddaughter (Deja)added two decadent chocolate pies, and Loretta and Sheldon topped it off with their homemade chocolate ice cream. Each dessert was a hit, and every “chocolaty” bite was shared with love.

Zoe joined us and was such a big help. She even learned a new card trick from Creston. To her own delight, she stumped her Mimi three times, then impressed one of our Veterans with her card skills as well. Later, another Veteran surprised Zoe with a beautiful cream-colored purse—a gift she’ll cherish.

Each Veteran also received a gift from the Gold Star Moms: a ditty bag filled with goodies. Zoe personally handed out Pocket Hugs—tiny hearts with a message on the little boxes that held the heart:
“This little pocket hug is full of love and hugs. Keep it in your hand, on your nightstand, or in your pocket to remind you that you are cared for, supported, and loved. You are enough. ❤️ Zoe”

We always leave these lunches with full hearts. With home-cooked meals, laughter, and conversation, it is our deepest honor to serve our Veteran heroes—not just with food, but with love, gratitude, and connection.

❤️ ‘Believe that what you do matters and will make a difference in people's lives. You don't have to save the world in one stroke but you can make a difference one person at a time.'
⭐️❤️⭐️

08/18/2025

University of the Pacific’s Manor Hall reopens as dedicated residential space for student Veterans. August 17 was move-in day

https://www.pacific.edu/pacific-newsroom/manor-hall-reopens-dedicated-residential-space-student-veterans?utm_source=pacific_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter_fall&utm_content=featured_link l space for student Veterans

https://www.pacific.edu/pacific-newsroom/manor-hall-reopens-dedicated-residential-space-student-veterans?utm_source=pacific_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter_fall&utm_content=featured_linknlr

The newly renovated building, one of the nation’s few intentionally designed residential facilities for student veterans, will provide a state-of-the-art living-learning hub within the historic building.

03/17/2025

🍀 We brought the luck of the Irish to our monthly luncheon (March 15) at the Palo Alto VA FOR! 🍀

🍀 Our Gold Star Moms did not disappoint, serving up a festive St. Patrick’s Day meal a couple of days early.
🍀 The feast featured appetizers, corned beef and cabbage, potatoes and carrots, broccoli, and mixed green salads. Of course, no celebration would be complete without our all-time favorite—Grandma Betty’s Watergate Salad, lovingly prepared by Deja (Jan Martinez’ granddaughter).

🌈 For dessert, we stayed on theme with green poke cakes, and—just for fun—the Leprechauns snuck in a splash of brownies and rice crispy treats (laced with lucky charms — my fav) shhh, don’t tell!

🎉 We also celebrated our Veterans with March birthdays and gifted each one a special ditty bag filled with toiletries.

🌈 The true pot of gold at the end of the rainbow? 🌈
Honoring two Vietnam Veterans.
🇺🇸 “On behalf of a grateful nation and the American Gold Star Mothers - Department of Northern California, it is our privilege and honor to recognize your patriotism, valor, service, and sacrifice when our country needed you most. A grateful nation thanks and honors you.”🇺🇸

❤️ We are so lucky, blessed, and honored to share our home-cooked meals, love, and support with our Veterans.

‘Believe that what you do matters and will make a difference in people's lives. You don't have to save the world in one stroke but you can make a difference one person at a time.'

With all the potential cuts at the VA being tossed around, we’d like to give a big shout out to the staff, especially Wennie Ratliff, Recreation Therapist, who coordinates all of our visits and supports the Veterans. And a shout out to Creston Marshino,
Therapist, for your unwavering support to our Veterans and the Gold Star Moms for the 14 years we’ve been serving our Veterans at the Foundation of Recovery (FOR). We love you! 🇺🇸❤️🇺🇸

03/16/2025

On October 19, 2024, Northgate High School student Carter Shinn (Walnut Creek) joined Gold Star Mom Roxane Langevin as her guest at our monthly luncheon at the Palo Alto VA FOR. With heart and passion, Carter introduced himself and his project, “If You Can Change the World…,” which focuses on expanding resources for Veterans.

Carter presented his project to the Gold Star Moms and Veterans in attendance. As he spoke with the Veterans, he gained further insight into the critical need for programs like this and the impact they have on our Veterans. Shortly after, he did a presentation to his class for approval. I’m thrilled to share that his school has officially approved it!

This afternoon, Carter was outside Safeway in Walnut Creek, collecting donations for Veterans in need. Both Jessica Langevin (Gold Star wife) and Roxane Langevin (Gold Star Mom) were there to show our support.
The items gathered during his project will be delivered to the Palo Alto VA, directly supporting our Veterans in these programs.
We couldn’t be more proud of him!

Way to go, Carter—you are our future, and we look forward to seeing all the good you will continue to do for our Veterans.

01/24/2025

Palo Alta VA FOR January 18, 2025
⭐️ Our Gold Star Moms’ monthly luncheons with our veterans at FOR are always so special. There’s something uniquely comforting about a mom’s cooking—it’s love served straight from the heart, shared with our cherished veterans.

🏈 🎉 We always incorporate a theme for our meals, and to “kick off” the new year, a football theme it was! With the playoffs that day, we prepared an assortment of homemade chilis: white chili, chili with linguica, and woodfire chili. Delicious and hearty, it was truly comfort food for the soul. Of course, we didn’t stop there—our spread included appetizers, all the fixings for the chili, including corn bread and corn chips, and desserts to round it all off.

As we sat down to share the meal, one of the veterans shared that he couldn’t remember the last time he had a home-cooked meal. Hearing that warmed our hearts and placed a smile on every face.

🇺🇸 We also had the privilege of honoring a Vietnam Veteran as part of the 50th Vietnam War Commemoration. We began with a formal ceremony, and when his name was called, tears welled up in his eyes as he received an appreciation certificate, pin and letter from the President for his service to our country. It was a beautiful moment—a long-overdue and well-deserved welcome home.
“A grateful nation thanks and honors you.” 🇺🇸❤️🇺🇸

We always end our Palo Alto VA FOR posts with…
❤️ “Believe that what you do matters and can make a difference in people’s lives. You don’t have to save the world in one stroke, but you can make a difference one person at a time.”
⭐️❤️⭐️