President's Message

Jeanette Early
Gold Star Wives of America
National President 2011-2012  

What an honor it was to be elected National President of Gold Star Wives of America at our National Convention in St. Louis, Missouri. I have been a member of Gold Star Wives for many years, but I will take this opportunity to introduce myself to you whom I have not met personally, and to those who would like to know a little more about me. 

I was born and raised in Mansura, Louisiana, a small town in central Louisiana. I am the sixth of seven siblings, four sisters (one deceased) and two brothers. I was educated in the Avoyelles Parish School System and later graduated from Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Music Education. I taught music in Catahoula, Iberville and Avoyelles Parish school systems in Louisiana, also in the Houston Independent School District. I retired in 2005, as Administrative Assistant for the Civil Service Commission in Denver, Colorado. I currently live in Aurora, Colorado with my husband of six years, Arthur Blakely. I am a volunteer with the Denver Chapter of Alzheimer’s Association, actively involved in music and other church ministries, and pianist at Sable Care Nursing Center in Aurora.

My first teaching position was in the small town of Jonesville, Louisiana where I met my husband, Howard Lee Early in September 1961. Howard was home on leave after a tour in Germany. We were married three months later, on December 24, 1961.  We were at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky for four years during which my three sons were born. My sons, Fabian, and twins Alphonso and Alonzo reside in Houston, Texas, including sixteen grandchildren and two great-grands. Our last months together as family were during Howard’s assignment at Ft. Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas where he received orders for Vietnam. In late summer of 1968, Howard boarded a bus out of Alexandria, Louisiana bound for his site of deployment.

On February 19, 1969, about 9pm, two gentlemen in military uniform delivered the dreadful message of their mission…My husband had been killed that day on active duty in Vietnam…my world stood still. I was blessed to have been with my parents at that time.  I was advised that Howard spent the initial months of his tour in Vietnam with the 82nd Airborne Division and later transferred to Advisory duty. Howard was with a Mobile Advisory Team aiming to repel a Viet Cong patrol when the team was caught up in a fatal ambush by the Viet Cong.

On July 4, 2003, I was honored to meet one of Howard’s comrades and very good friend, Retired MSG Murph Jack Marrow.  Murph Marrow initiated and coordinated the erection of a SFC Howard Lee Early Memorial and subsequently a Memorial Dedication Ceremony in Jonesville, Louisiana.  For an awesome, detailed article on their relationship as Army comrades, please visit website:
www.ourheritagemagazine.com/sfc-howard-lee-early/
    
Shortly after Howard’s death, I received a letter informing me about Gold Star Wives.  A few months later, I sent in application and attended my first GSW National Convention in 1972, in Columbus, Georgia. I shall never forget that convention, because it started a wonderful healing and bonding with caring and lasting friendships, including a memorable post-convention trip to the Bahamas.  I am grateful for the persistence of our members who worked diligently until Congress approved legislation in 2003, allowing survivors who remarried after age 57, to retain their Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC).  Passage of that legislation was to my benefit and other GSW’s as well. Again I say, thank you.

Each issue of concern within the organization may not pertain to all of us personally, but we must stand united in support of GSW legislation that impacts a fraction of us as well, because there is strength and louder voice in numbers. There are dire economic issues facing our nation at this time, and we should be more vigilant than ever concerning survivors benefits.  We must keep our concerns on the table and be persistent or they will be brushed aside and forgotten. Much of my appreciation and respect for the organization has come through my involvement and participation in the following segments: National Chair for Community Service; Denver Chapter Secretary; Denver Chapter Vice President; Denver Chapter President; coordinator of SW Region Conference in Denver, 2007; and President of Southwest Region, 2008-2009. 

I wish to thank President Emeritus Katherine “Kit” Frazer, for a job well done on behalf of Gold Star Wives.  Thank you Kit, for mentoring and always encouraging me as I anticipated serving in this honorable position and for all you’ve done to make the transition as smooth as possible.  I look forward to working with Vice President Harriet Boyden. I commend her as recipient of the Special Recognition Award. Harriet is a conscientious worker, and I plan to keep in close communication with her as Kit did so diligently with me. 

A huge thank you to Convention Chair, Jamie Tomek and members of the South Central Region for hosting our 66th National Convention, which was well-organized.  Besides successful business meetings, we had informative workshops; a riverboat dinner cruise; entertainment by Missouri Master Storyteller Gladys Coggswell; beautiful music provided by pianist Steve Sanderson, and humorous remarks by Ruth Miller, GSW from San Antonio, Texas. Guest Speakers included Deborah Walker, Director/Office of Survivor’s Assistance for the Dept. of Veterans Affairs; Kevin Secor, VA Department Liaison for Veteran’s Service Organizations.

Special thanks to the following sponsors who supported our convention and contributed to its success:  TriWest Healthcare Alliance; Express Scripts; USAA; Spectrum Healthcare Resources; Delta Dental; Department of Veterans Affairs; Graphic Designer Jon Moran and Photographer Shelley Anderson of Cage & Aquarium.

St. Louis has taken on a new meaning with fond memories for me as the site of my election to GSW National President.  The newly elected National Officers for 2011-2012 are:  President, Jeanette Early (Aurora, CO); Vice President, Harriet Boyden (Aiken SC); Secretary, Leta McNair (Phenix City, AL); Treasurer, Betty Crawford (Chandler, AZ); Parliamentarian, Jaimey Steele (Crompond, NY); Historian, Veronica Mora (Perrysburg, OH); Chaplain, Janet Snyder (Las Vegas, NV).  Congratulations to all of you, and thank you for taking on the responsibilities of your respective office.

Midwest Region extended an invitation to host the 67th GSW National Convention in Dayton, Ohio – July 11-15, 2012.  Thank you Midwest Region.

Convention Attendees:   69 members; 43 guests; and 12 first-time attendees.  Jim Ranieri of GSW Management Company reported GSW membership is currently 8,652.  Our National Chaplain reported 253 deceased members in the past year.

GSW is a unique organization of undesirable membership; nevertheless, survivors who are unfortunately thrust into eligibility will find that GSW is a unique body of survivors ready to embrace and support those who join.  I am looking forward to this new year with GSW’s as we work together and stand united in our efforts. There is always something each one of us can do to maintain the purposes of Gold Star Wives. I encourage all of our members to continue the great work you are doing in your communities and states, getting involved, being visible, and sharing your experiences as a Gold Star Wife.  We represent GSW in many different events and activities, and we must begin to seriously “think local.” We must get to know as much as we can about our local legislative candidates for whom we are voting i.e., their views on major issues; and make every effort for them to know who we are and our concerns before they get on the Hill.  And let us seek out their voting records after they reach the Hill – so we will know what bills they are supporting and which they are opposing.  Our voice also works through our votes.

I look forward to meeting and communicating with as many of you as possible. Thank you again for your support and words of encouragement. I am a good listener and want to hear from you.

Jeanette B. Early
National President
Email:  jbearly-gsw@q.co