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Written By: Patrick Moynahan
Florence, Kentucky – August 13, 2018 – Gary Griesser wondered who the woman slowing down a long line at the U.S. Post Office in Burlington with a load of packages was.
“That’s Mom Kaye,” one of the postal workers told him.
“Mom” Kaye is Jackie Kaye, who has been sending up to 40,000 care packages a year to U.S. military personnel for more than 50 years. Her care has touched an estimated 2.5 million service men and women, according to Dan Pilar, executive director of the “Mom and Pop” Kaye U.S. Naval/NASA Memorial Collection in the USS Silversides Museum.
U.S. Navy veterans, submariners, postal workers and Walgreens managers turned out in force to honor Kaye as the 2018 Rotary Club of Florence Citizen of the Year on August 13 at the Cincinnati Airport Hilton. Some who couldn’t come sent letters, including NASA astronaut James F. Reilly, who flew three space shuttle missions, and retired four-star Adm. Richard W. Wies, former Commander in Chief of the U. S. Strategic Command.
Kaye, 86, and her late husband Norman began providing support for those who serve in the U.S. Armed Services when they lived in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. They opened their homes for sailors when they came into port; hence, the Kayes developed a particular fondness for the U.S. Navy.
More than 100 sailors stayed in their home at one time on occasion, Pikar said. They provided movie tickets, show tickets and paid for other activities for the sailors.
“Not one sailor had to spend their own money,” Pikar said.
That’s “Mom and Pop” Kayes.
The Kayes also sent care packages to service men and women on every holiday with support from local businesses. They participated in the commissioning of two war ships and decommissioning of two submarines. Their pictures are on the walls of the mess halls of several ships.
Kroger, Walgreens and Perfettis Van Melle Candies have provided support for “Mom” Kaye’s philanthropy since she moved to Burlington in 2001. Her home is a shrine to military personnel, filled with memorabilia including a crystal that flew into space given to her by an astronaut, and a prestigious service award presented by former President Bill Clinton.
“She’s an amazing woman,” said Tina Roland, a Burlington postal worker who has helped Kaye sendoff multiple batches of packages over the years.
“She’s “Mom” Kaye to me.”
Kaye donated the $1,000 gift from the Rotary Club to the Dolphin Scholarship Foundation, which assists the U.S. Submarine Force with college scholarships. She also received citations from the Kentucky House and Senate as well as a Kentucky Colonel award.
She urged Sen. John Schickel (R-Union), who presented the Senate and Kentucky Colonel citations, to push for a place to preserve her memorabilia “and special things to remember the men and women who serve around the world.”
That’s “Mom” Kaye.
A recording of this presentation and past meetings of the Rotary Club of Florence is available on the club’s YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gil62-B4-F8
Thank you to NKY Tribune and Steve Flairty for helping Mom Kaye tell her story.
The Rotary Club of Florence, Kentucky (serving all of Boone County) is a community service organization focusing on “service above self”. The club meets weekly on Mondays at noon at the Hilton Airport located at 7373 Turfway Road. Guests are always welcome. To learn more about upcoming speakers and events, please visit the club’s website at www.florencerotary.org or follow their Facebook page.
#ServiceAboveSelf #FloRo #PeopleofAction #COY
