Current President – Truckee Meadows NV #3 Blue Star Mothers of America – Supporting the Troops that Defend our Freedom

Our Founding Mother - Paula Fleming

Hello and Welcome to Truckee Meadows NV#3 Blue Star Mothers of America!

My name is Laura Deahl, President of Truckee Meadows NV#3 Blue Star Mothers of America. I am married to Jim Deahl and have 3 wonderful children. Two of which I am proud to say have served in the Army! I have lived in the Reno/Sparks area for 30 years and have been an active member of the Blue Star Mothers of America since October 2009.

Our daughter SPC April Deahl, Amry Veteran (2004-2013) was deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan and also did a tour in Korea. While she was on tour in Korea and Afghanistan we were able to take care of her first child. She now has 3 children and works full-time in the Reno area.

Our son SGT Bryce Deahl, Army Veteran (2009-2016) was deployed to Afghanistan and also did a tour in Germany. He is the proud father of a beautiful daughter and is currently working full-time in the Reno area.

Our daughter Chelbi works full-time and is also a proud mom of one daughter. Chelbi volunteers with the Blue Star Mothers of America any chance she gets.

Wanting to be involved with a non-profit organization but never was able to find one that fit until one morning while watching the news, Ms. Paula Fleming was being interviewed and all I could remember was the Blue Star. I decided to Google the organization to see exactly what it was about. That was all it took, I became a member that day. My first meeting was a “Care Package Party” at Paula’s home. It was pure chaos- getting all those boxes ready for shipping to those who are deployed.

I have made life-long friends and my time volunteering brings joy to my heart. The smiles we see while greeting at the airport and from the letters of thanks we receive from our care packages make this volunteer work so special.

Laura Deahl

President, Truckee Meadows NV#3 Blue Star Moms, (2016-2023)

Laura.Deahl@yahoo.com

Paula Fleming

When her son, Joshua, joined the Army in 2004, Paula Fleming of Sparks NV went into service as well. She didn’t don a uniform but joined the military support organization Blue Star Mothers of America in Carson City, 30 miles away. A year later in May 2005, she and a group of Reno and Sparks mothers started Truckee Meadows NV#3 Blue Star Mothers of America. “We met at my house once a month. We packed care packages out of my house. Basically, everything came from us moms.” says Paula. Eventually, the group started reaching out to schools and businesses and attending various activities. “I started beating the payment, ” Paula said. “I did cold calls to businesses and asked for assistance with in-kind donations or cash to assist with shipping costs.” Paula also reached out to the troops with her son’s assistance, while deployed with the US Army 10th Mountain, and made sure everyone in his Unit had a care package. For her efforts, Paula was named the Reno Gazette-Journal’s Citizen of the Year for 2012. Today, Truckee Meadows NV#3 Blue Star Mothers has grown from 10 to over 30 and its outreach to troops deployed and at home has grown exponentially. From care packages to 10,000 Christmas cards, from welcoming troops home at the airport to supporting annual Marine Training units, to the Sparks Banner Project, to raising the walls on a wounded vet’s home, the Truckee Meadows NV#3 Blue Star Mothers are there. A lot of what is done is for the Troops who aren’t supported from their own homes. The personal part of it is the love and desire that all of these kids come home safe.