Happy Mother's Day
Issue No. 013 - May 2026
Service And Family
We celebrate Mother’s Day to honor and celebrate the women who brought us into the world. The women who celebrated all our wins and at times cried with us when we lost. The women who helped to correct our missteps and guided us onto the right path. The women who taught us strength wasn’t all about muscle, strength was also in kindness. The women who shaped the person we are today.
For all moms, this day of acknowledgement is special. For military mothers, this day is particularly significant. Military moms are a special breed. Balancing the demands of service and motherhood presents extra challenges that military life can add. Between deployments, military mandated moves, financial challenges, the physical and emotional cost of serving as an active-duty member or a spouse of an active-duty member can take its toll on any mother. Mothers in military families – from active-duty and Veterans to those whose spouses are deployed, to the mothers with children serving in the military – display remarkable strength and resilience. Military moms are an essential part of our military and our community.
While it can be difficult, there are ways to celebrate Mother’s Day when mom is deployed, it is not impossible. Here are a few resourceful ways to show mom just how much you love and appreciate her.
Eat a Meal Together Virtually – Arrange in advance for a time that Mom can join the family during mealtime over a video call. This opportunity will help mom feel more connected to the family and a chance for those at home to see her and tell her how much they love her.
Watch Party – Set time aside for mom and the family at home to watch a favorite family movie together over a video call.
Family Care Package – You can also gather some of mom’s favorite things from home – magazines, snacks, toiletries, etc. along with handwritten cards, a few photos of your favorite memories with mom and mail it. Sending a care package is another way to send mom love.
Share Memories – Post pictures and shares stories of mom on social media. Ask friends and family to participate by sharing their moments and pictures with mom.
One Call Away – A phone call is another great way to connect with mom when she’s away.
Thank You Military Moms for your service and personal sacrifice. Happy Mother’s Day!
April Recap
Breakfast with Lancaster Police Department
Coffee4VETS Breakfast being hosted by Chief Rodrick Amalin, Lancaster Police Department, Lancaster Ca. The veteran community got a tour of the station and heard from Community Leaders.
Joe Davis Airpark Plane Clean Up Project
Coffee4VETS adopted the F-4 Phantom II Airplane and today was cleaning day. Tony and Artherine took this shift and they did a great job!!!
Vet Talk
Vet Talk is the brainchild of Juan Blanco, Coffee4VETS’ founder and president. Juan started Vet Talk during the pandemic as a way to help veterans work through the difficulties of being isolated, sheltering at home, and social distancing. Vet Talk became crucial in keeping the veteran community connected.
In continuing with the same spirit of keeping the veteran community connected. Vet Talk is being relaunched. The series will feature 1 monthly question answered by our Veteran community. The monthly question will cover a broad scope of topics, ranging from their lives before, during, and after service.
This month’s question is: What challenges did your family face during your service?
Thank You Cassandra Vanterpool (U.S. Air Force: 1969 – 1972: Retired) and Nonna Waterman (U.S. Army: 1981 – 1987: Retired) for your service and for taking the time to answer this month’s question.
President's Message
Welcome to May.
With spring in the air and flowers in bloom, we send warm wishes to all mothers for a job well done. Happy Mother’s Day. This May, we also honor National Military Appreciation Month, Military Spouses’ Day, Armed Forces Day, and of course Memorial Day. There’s a great deal happening this month, before we move on, I’d like to take a moment to recognize the special people in my life.
To begin, I would like to extend a heartfelt birthday wish to our Coffee4VETS Secretary, the Honorary Director of the 412th Test Wing Public Affairs group at Edwards Air Force Base, most importantly my beautiful and loving wife Artherine Blanco. Happy Birthday to the very person responsible for lighting up my world and whose contributions make a positive impact on our community.
Wishing a wonderful birthday to my brother, Kai Blanco – Army Paratrooper/Ranger and Vietnam combat veteran. Happy Birthday Kai– I am very proud to call you brother.
Also included in the birthday wishes, my father, Thomas Blanco – Army soldier who served in WWII – whose life was a testament to the courage, honor, and service of an American.
Not to be overlooked, a shout out to Vidonm and Grace Blanco who’s celebrating their wedding anniversary this month.
May 1st, also known as May Day, marks the ancient seasonal turning point between spring and summer. It is also a day of global solidarity for workers, stemming from the 1886 eight‑hour workday campaign. The day also holds divine importance to the Catholic church.
On the 7th of May, we will hold a birthday celebration at our Santa Clarita Coffee4VETS morning breakfast for our WWII Combat Fighter Pilot Ken Placek who flew 96 combat mission over the skies of Italy and who turns 102 years of age. We do a Facebook Live stream at 0900 and we would love for you to tune in to help celebrate his turning 102. On Facebook Live at Coffee4VETS.
May 5, The Battle of Puebla where Mexican forces defeated a much lager force of the French Army and now celebrated as Cinco de Mayo, the 5th of May.
Some other milestones for May;
1881 – The American Red Cross was founded
1908 – The Navy Nurse Corps was established
1942 – The Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) was established.
Once more, in May we at Coffee4VETS will host the Memorial Day BBQ Luncheon in remembrance of all who have given of themselves and for those who gave all so we could continue to enjoy the freedom they fought and died for. Our BBQ luncheon will be held on the last Saturday May, 30th from 11am to 2pm in Lancaster at BPOE Elks Lodge #1625.
A special Thank You to Crazy Otto’s Lancaster for catering this year’s Memorial Day BBQ.
We have dedicated the BBQ in the name of LTCMD Walter Sapp, a U.S. Coast Guard Vietnam veteran who has been hospitalized since the unsought of COVID-19. We cannot thank LTCMD Sapp enough for all he has done in serving our nation and his continued commitment to freedom. I want to also recognize his lovely and wonderful wife Susan who has been at his side throughout this harrowing ordeal personifying how our spouses have been there through the years and the sacrifices they too make.
Given the persistent unrest in the Middle East and with no clear resolution in sight, the prospect of a prolonged conflict remains a concern. Considering the events, I wish to offer our deepest condolences to the families of those who were causalities. To the families of the fallen, we understand how great this loss can be – thank you for your service and keeping the dream of America alive.
Juan Blanco
President
Our Moto: “Honoring Our Veterans of Yesterday Who Secured Our Today.”
Our Purpose: Pride of Service
Highlight of The Month
April 2026
Artherine and Juan Blanco were among the 365 pictures in an art display called 365 Days of Voters at LAX. The pictures are located at the Delta Baggage Claim.
Save the Date
We Invite You to Join Us
Join us for our weekly Coffee4VETS event! Veterans and active-duty military can enjoy FREE coffee and 1/2 off breakfast!
Date: Every Tuesday
Time: 7 A.M – 9 A.M
Where: Crazy Otto’s Diner at 1228 W. Ave I, Lancaster, CA
Date: 1st and 3rdThursday of the month at the
Where: Crazy Otto’s Diner at 19132 Soledad Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, CA
FREE Groceries for ACTIVE DUCTY and VETERANS
Date: Mondays
Time: 6 P.M – 8 P.M
Where: Wayside Church
Happy Birthday
A Very Happy Birthday from Coffee4VETS!
May observances
Mark Your Calendars
National Military Appreciation Month
Month of the Military Caregiver
Silver Star Banner Day – A day to honor wounded, ill, and injured U.S. military personnel and recognize the sacrifices of their families.
Loyalty Day – Proclaimed by President Eisenhower as a day for declaring loyalty to the United States of America and to acknowledge American history.
Public Service Recognition Week – An annual observance to celebrate the public servants for their dedication to their communities.
National Correctional Officers Week – The week is dedicated to honor the service and commitment of correctional officers.
Military Spouse Appreciation Day
VE Day – The day commemorate the surrender of Germany to the Allies in WWII.
Mother’s Day
Armed Forces Week – A week dedicated to honor those who serve.
Children of Fallen Patriots Day – A day to honor the children whose parents died in the line of duty.
Armed Forces Day – A day dedicated to brave men and women who serve in the United States armed forces.
Maritime Day
Memorial Day
Coffee4VETS, Inc. is a 501c(3) non-profit organization that operates by the generous donations from individuals and other non-profit organizations. Thank you for visiting our page.
Previous Coffee4VETS Newsletters
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