Her grim dues paid, group says no to mom

[KG]

Like all Gold Star Mothers, Ligaya Lagman has seen a child die serving his country. But the group says she can't join because she's not a U.S. citizen.
By Associated Press
Published May 28, 2005


WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. - Everyone agrees that Ligaya Lagman is a Gold Star Mother, part of the long line of mournful women whose sons or daughters gave their lives for their country.

Her 27-year-old son, Army Staff Sgt. Anthony Lagman, was killed last year in Afghanistan when his unit came under fire during a mission to drive out remnants of Taliban and al-Qaida forces.

But the largest organization of these women, the American Gold Star Mothers Inc., has rejected Lagman, a Filipino, for membership because - though a permanent resident and a taxpayer - she is not a U.S. citizen.

"There's nothing we can do because that's what our organization says: You have to be an American citizen," national president Ann Herd said Thursday. "We can't go changing the rules every time the wind blows."

That explanation isn't satisfying the war veterans who sponsored Lagman's application, some other members of the mothers' group or several members of Congress.

"It is disheartening that any mother of a soldier, sailor, airman or Marine who has died in the line of duty would be denied membership in an organization that honors the memory of fallen service men and women," said Rep. Nita Lowey, D-N.Y., whose district includes Lagman's home in Yonkers, N.Y.

MORE>>>> http://www.sptimes.com/2005/05/28/Worldandnation/Her_grim_dues_paid__g.shtml

[MADem]

1. I hope they take this all the way, and I am glad Clinton and Pataki and

...others are weighing in, and not letting this slide. I am one of the people that wrote and complained, and though I was not vulgar, I was VERY direct.

Oxendine, the former president, said she is sure the general membership would approve a rules change if the board did. "I can't believe that 12 intelligent women would ever not have it in their hearts to think about another Gold Star Mother," Oxendine said. "You pay a high price to join the American Gold Star Mothers. I figure her dues were paid."

Spadaro isn't giving up. He had his brother, a Florida lawyer, write to the Department of Justice, noting the mothers organization has received federal assistance and demanding an investigation.

And on Monday, during Memorial Day observances at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2285 in Eastchester, Lagman will be presented with a gold necklace bearing a simple gold star.

[Bark Bark Bark]

2. Thanks For Serving OUR Country...

"...but we can't go changing the rules every time the wind blows. Say, got any more kids of military-service age? We'll let 'em clean our toilets and fight our wars, but honor for the ultimate sacrifice in service of this country? Not for those people."

Grotesque. ****ing grotesque.

[DiverDave]

3. Grotesque? Nope,

It's FUCKING DISPICABLE.:puke::puke::puke:

[Snotcicles]

4. I hope the wind blows Ann Herd out of her job. n/t