As a mother of a son serving in the United States Air Force, Phyllis Davis knows how important it is to show support for the men and women fighting for our freedom.

“It means so much for them to know we care,” said the Buchanan resident.

To that end, Davis and Galien resident Tammy Sebasty have joined forces to try and start a Blue Star Mothers program based in

Buchanan. Blue Star Mothers is an association for mothers who have children currently serving or who have served in the U.S. military.

The group gives members the opportunity to meet others who share similar experiences while supporting the troops and spreading the message of patriotism.

In Michigan, Davis said the closest chapter to the Niles area is based in Stevensville and meets in Benton Harbor.

That is too far a drive, she said, for many to make.

“A lot of us are older ladies who want to join, but with gas prices the way they are it would be more convenient for people to meet in this area,” said Davis, a member of the Stevensville chapter since 2005.

To gauge interest in starting a new chapter, an informational meeting will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Buchanan Community Center, 131 S. Oak St., Buchanan. If enough people show up to warrant a new chapter, meetings will be held at 3 p.m. on the third Sunday of each month beginning July 20.

Davis said one of the main goals of the new chapter would be to help veterans groups and collect items for care packages that will be sent to deployed soldiers.

“A lot of them don’t receive mail or gifts, so this is a good way to show we care about them and what they are doing for us,” she said. “We get a lot of nice thank yous. It is very heartwarming.”

Davis’ son, John Davis, is a master sergeant serving in the U.S. Air Force since 1984. He is stationed with the 434th Air Refueling Wing in Grissom Air Reserve Base in Indiana.

“We are very proud of him,” she said.

Blue Star Mothers also has associate members that can be anyone wanting to help further the cause, not just mothers of those in service.

Davis said they need at least 10 members to create a new chapter.

“If you know someone or want to lend a hand to the men and women who help keep our country free, please let us know,” she said.

The Buchanan chapter would cover the greater Niles area.

To find out more, contact Davis at (269) 695-5275 or Sebasty at (269) 240-3894.