“Each time a person stands for an ideal or acts to improve the lot of others, that person sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.”

— Robert F. Kennedy

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In an e-mail from Jerry Jacobi, the above quote was used to describe this month’s two Extra Milers — Vanessa Coulter and Trish Williams. Both women are members of Blue Star Mothers, a national nonprofit group of women whose sons and daughters have served in the military.

“When I saw Vanessa and Trish clutching their candles to shield the tiny flames from the wind, I realized why the [recent military] prayer vigil was important to the community,” Jacobi went on to say. “By standing for an ideal and working to improve the lot of others, these Blue Star Mothers sent forth a tiny ripple of hope referred to in Robert Kennedy’s 1966 speech.”

Vanessa is a two Blue Star Mother, while Trish is a three Blue Star Mother. Each star represents children who currently serve or have honorably served in the military. The group's mission is to promote patriotism throughout the country.

On March 21, Vanessa and Trish certainly succeeded in promoting patriotism by coordinating activities and working 17 straight hours disseminating support information at the Jeffersonville Wall of Honor along East Market Street, collecting donations and honoring the men and women who serve in the military. The day culminated in a powerful prayer vigil, led by the Rev. Bruce Barkhauer, with the intent of encouraging Southern Indiana to support deployed and returning troops throughout the year, not just during the holidays.

It was a day Vanessa, president of Southern Indiana Blue Star Mothers, had dreamed of for two years, imagining the impact it would have in the community.

Southern Indiana citizens responded throughout the day by honking, waving and giving the thumbs-up. Several men stopped by to talk about previous wars and Don Herrold, chaplain of VFW Post No. 1832, stopped by to offer military and U.S. flags to be placed on the Wall of Honor. Herrold attached each flag to the wall with care, stating, “It’s really windy today and I don’t want any of them to touch the ground.”

Despite medical concerns, which should have prohibited Vanessa from standing throughout the day, she stood anyway. All who approached the table were greeted with a smile and handshake. If the person was military (or had a military background), they received a heartfelt thank you from both Vanessa and Trish, sometimes served with a loving bear hug.

The activities and prayer vigil also impacted the military families. Several pregnant wives visited the Wall of Honor. One young woman appeared tentative as she walked up with her mother and young son. She indicated her baby was due in a couple of months and when asked when her husband would be returning, her face became filled with concern as she replied, “My husband will be home when our baby is about 7 months old.” She had come to the wall to feel a connection to the community and a connection to her husband so very far away. She held her candle and prayed, as so many did that windy night, for the safe return of her loved one.

Vanessa and Trish asked families to leave personal mementos at the Wall of Honor for public viewing. Many of those who came to pray with the community also walked up the small hill to place photos, mementos, and yellow ribbons on the blue stars hanging on the wall. Later, I started reading some of the sentiments written on the yellow ribbons, but quickly found them to be too emotional, too painful, too personal. Since the vigil, the Wall of Honor has become a particularly special place for military personnel and their families.

Blue Star Mothers were packing up the tables and chairs when they noticed some of the ribbons blowing off from the strong night wind and quickly gathered them together with a sense of urgency, reattaching each one with a stronger hold. Our Extra Milers responded to the ribbons as they respond to our troops — with a sense of urgency to honor their sacrifice, by caring for the family and friends they have left behind and by holding them tight in their hearts.

Vanessa Coulter had a dream that she could ease the pain of family and friends who have been left behind. Trish Williams and friends helped her to make it happen. Thank you, Blue Star Mothers, for going above and beyond and for being Southern Indiana Extra Milers.