Gold Star Mom needs help
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| Florence McSween is a Gold Star Mother who, until a recent accident, has helped hundreds of others cope with the loss of a child in service to our nation. |
While our nation's warriors who die in combat in service to our country make the ultimate sacrifice, the families they leave behind, particularly their mothers, the Gold Star Mothers, pay a terrible cost as well, a cost that lives with them for the rest of their lives.
They often find a measure of solace from other Gold Star Mothers, a tight-knit group brought close by their shared sacrifice. It was a Bonners Ferry Gold Star Mother, Bernadette Kirk-Bonner, who brought attention to this article of one from Atlanta, Georgia, who is in need of help.
Florence McSween lost her son, Adam, in 2007, and since then she's dedicated her life to never letting the sacrifice of these brave men and women go unrecognized or fall forgotten. A social woman, Florence was recently on her way to a Gold Star Mothers event in Illinois when her car hydroplaned in heavy rains, skidded off the road and crashed head-on into the trees.
Despite her injuries, which included an ankle that needed surgery, Florence resolutely made the conference, by while there she fainted and was taken to the hospital for treatment.
Eventually she returned home to Atlanta, where she continues to recover with the help of friends. Now she wonders how she's going to replace her car, which is integral to her work with other Gold Star families.
Diagnosed with cancer a few years ago, she was forced to give up a teaching career. Still being treated for the cancer, and now with the injuries of her recent crash, she is unable to work full time.
As president of the Gold Star Mothers Villa Rica Chapter, Florence serves a crucial role in ensuring that the families of those who've died in service to our country receive avaiable assistance from the many organizations and programs that are there to help, and the work, she says, is what keeps her alive.
To help her get another car that will enable her to continue her work, the Florence McSween CAR Fund, account number 0991687004, has been set up at the Delta Community Credit Union, 1025 Virginia Avenue, Atlanta, Georgia 30354.
All donations over the cost of a reliable car will be given to the West Georgia Chapter of the Gold Star Mothers of America, Inc.
Those interested in donating can call Joseph Norman, (404) 714-5308, or visit www.bluestarmothersga.webs.com to learn more.