"The Old Guard"
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Service Star Families A Blue Star Service Banner displayed in the window of a home is an American tradition. The banner lets others know that someone in the family is proudly serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. As Americans do their best to support Operation Iraqi Freedom and the ongoing war on terror, the Blue Star Service Banner tradition reminds us all that war touches every neighborhood in our community. The Blue and Gold Star Service Banners were designed and patented in 1917 during World War I by Army Captain Robert L. Queissner of the 5th Ohio Infantry, who had two sons serving on the front lines. It quickly became the unofficial symbol of a child in the service. On September 24, 1917, an Ohio Congressman read the following into the Congressional Record: "...The mayor of Cleveland, the Chamber of Commerce and the governor of Ohio have adopted this service flag. The world should know of those who give so much for liberty. The dearest thing in all the world to a mother and father - their children." During World War II, the Department of War issued specifications on the manufacture of the flag as well as guidelines indicating when and by whom the Service Flag could be flown or the service lapel button could be worn. The Blue Star Service Banner typically displayed in windows is an 8.5 by 14 inch white field with a blue star(s) sewn onto a red banner. The size may vary but should be in proportion to the size of the United States Flag. Today, Blue Star Service Banners are displayed by families who have loved ones serving in the Armed Forces, including the National Guard and Reserves of all military departments. The banner displayed in the front window of a home shows a family's pride in their loved ones serving in the military, and reminds others that preserving America's freedom demands much. It can also be displayed by businesses and organizations. The blue star represents one family member serving in the Armed Forces. A banner can have up to five stars, signifying that five family members of that family are currently in military uniform on active duty. If the individual symbolized is killed or dies while serving, the star represents that individual will have superimposed on it a gold star of smaller size so that the blue forms a border. On flags displaying multiple stars, including gold stars, when the flags are suspended, as against a wall, the gold star (s) will be to the right of, or above the blue star(s) - a place of honor nearest the staff. A silver star represents a service member injured in combat. As the war on terrorism continues, the Blue Star Banner tradition reminds us all that this new war touches every neighborhood in our land. Blue Star Mothers and Gold Star Mothers organizations were established during World War I and remain active today. Blue Star Service Banners, while widely used across America during World Wars I and II, were not embraced during the Korean or Vietnam wars with nearly the same enthusiasm.
Currently members of the Silver Star families of America are lobbying to pass legislation that will designate the Silver Star Banner and flag the official Service Banner for the wounded.
MISSOURI, CONNECTICUT, INDIANA and
DELAWARE
HAVE SIGNED PROCLAMATIONS DECLARING
THE SILVER STAR FLAG AND BANNER THE
OFFICIAL SYMBOL FOR OUR WOUNDED
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Getting Your
Gold Star Pin
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The Gold Star lapel pins is furnished by the Defense Department to the family members of a soldier who lost his or her life while in active military service. The pin is awarded to the widow or widower (wife or husband of the soldier), to the parents of the soldier and to each of that soldiers children, and to his or her brothers, and sisters. If you have not received your pin you can apply yourself using Defense Dept form DD-3. Here is a link to the gold star lapel pin application form in pdf format. You must have Adobe Reader installed on your computer. If others in your family have not received their pins, make copies of Form DD-3 for them also. If you are mailing in form DD-3, it is wise to include a copy of DD-1300, Report of Casualty. This is the military equivalent of a death certificate. Even though this is not mentioned on the DD-3 instructions, you will likely be rejected for "insufficient proof" if you don't include it. If you are eligible to receive a Gold Star Pin and have been unsuccessful through the Department of Defense, Gold Star pins are available through the Old Guard Riders. Please e-mail roneppich@cox.net and request a free pin. Additional pins are $2 each. Please include your return mailing address and the name of your loved one for whom the pin is given ( deceased military member). |
Your help is what makes these programs possible. To make a donation in the amount of your choice, please click the link below. |
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