BOSTON -- A group of Leominster, Mass., veterans mothers have created a tribute to veterans past and present that aims to raise money for veterans causes and serve as a year-round reminder of the sacrifices Bay State military families have made.

The Massachusetts Blue Star Mothers, Chapter 1, has produced a veterans calendar that will be available for purchase starting Veterans Day that features local veterans, a few of whom served in World War II and still fit nicely in their service uniforms, said Blue Star Mother Maureen O'Gorman.

She said the calendar initially began as a way to raise funds, but quickly turned into something more.

"It turned into a labor of love," said O'Gorman, whose son and father have both served in the military. Her father, Gerard LaFleur, was an Army corporal in the Korean War and her son, Daniel, returned this year from a tour in Iraq with the National Guard. Both are featured on a page of the calendar.

O'Gorman said initially the plan was to photograph veterans for each page of the calendar, but eventually evolved into a project that paired veterans both young and old. She said she got the idea when the vets came together for photo sessions and began sharing military experiences with each other.

"There's this bond that I didn't understand because I hadn't gone through it," she said. "It's this tradition that's been around as long as there have been veterans and we need to remember them."

The calendar features several female veterans as well, along with a Gold Star mother.

The calendar photographer donated her time and talents free of charge and the printing company supported the project as well so that all the proceeds from the $14 calendar will go to veterans causes, such as the Blue Star Mothers project that sends backpacks to wounded soldiers and the Blankets of Hope campaign.

The 2009 Veterans Tribute Calendar will be available for purchase on Veterans Day. Anyone interested in purchasing a calendar can either e-mail bsmcalendar@comcast.net, or send a check with mailing instructions to The Blue Star Mothers Chapter 1, P.O. Box 854, Ayer, MA 01432. The cost includes shipping and handling.

For more information on the Blue Star Mothers, Chapter 1, click the group's Web site at www.bluestarmomsmassch1.org/.