Blue Star Moms Celebrate The 4th

As we celebrated our freedom,  Broken Arrow celebrated those who protect it.  The News On 6's Steve Berg reports the Broken Arrow Blue Star Mothers hosted a fundraising concert for their cause.

It was a day of fireworks and music.  Even so, it was tough for Patsy Adams to celebrate.

"In fact it really didn't feel like the 4th of July this morning when my husband and I got up.  It just felt like any other day," said Patsy Adams.

Patsy's son is 6 months into his first tour in Iraq, so this 4th of July feels different.

"Mainly because of where he is and what's going on in the world over there.  It's very scary, not only for myself, but for every other family that has somebody over there," said Patsy Adams.

And a lot of the families at the celebration do.

The Blue Star Mothers send care packages to military personnel overseas with things they have a tough time getting on base, and with mailing costs going up, Blue Star Mom J.D. Stigall says it gets expensive.

"We send out about 300 a month.  And, that's why this fundraiser is so important," said J.D. Stigall.

Not everyone is overseas.  Just by coincidence, Nathan Coy's weeklong leave fell on the 4th of July, and he's celebrating in Oklahoma with his Blue Star Mom, Nora.

"I'm stationed about 9,000 miles away at Anderson Air Force Base, Guam, so 20 hours to get home for 8 days is actually something kinda special," said Nathan Coy.

He says the care packages are special, too.  And, not just for the material things in them.

"It really just reminds you of home, reminds you that there are people back home that are there for you," said Nathan Coy.

And the Moms say they need help beyond the 4th of July, too.

"We send all year long and we really enjoy doing the Christmas holidays because we send special packages at Christmas," said Blue Star Mom J.D. Stigall.