Blue Star Service Banner History
AMERICA IS AT WAR
A Tradition Continues
The American Legion Sauls-Bridges Post 13, Tallahassee would like to honor families of military personnel who have been called to active duty through National Guard, Reserve Units or as volunteers now serving, or who have served since the United States was so brutally attacked on 9/11.
In wars past, seeing a Blue Star Service Banner [ Its History ] in the window of a home said a family member was proudly serving in the armed forces of the United States. The Blue Star Banner, affirms support for our troops. We thank those men and women who have been asked to protect us with their very lives if necessary.
Today, America is at war against terrorism, and the Blue Star Service Banners are back. If you have a family member who is currently serving or has recently served, since 9/11, and would like to be so honored, please give us your name, phone number and address. A member of The American Legion will contact you to make arrangements. Email Post 13 Webmaster.
We the proud members of Sauls-Bridges Post 13 of The American Legion salute you.
The Blue Star Service Banner was designed and patented in 1917 by World War I Army Capt. Robert L. Queissne of the 5th Ohio Infantry who had two sons serving on the front line. It quickly became the unofficial symbol of a child in the service.
On Sept. 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 father and mother - 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 U.S. Flag.
Today Blue Star Service Banners are displayed by families who have a loved one 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 one serving in
the military, and reminds others that preserving America’s freedom demands much. It can also
be displayed by businesses and organizations as well.
The blue star represents one family member serving in the armed forces. A banner can have up to five stars, signifying that five members of that family are currently in military uniform on active duty.
If the individual symbolized is killed or dies while serving, the star that
represents that individual will have superimposed on it a
gold star [
]
[ Gold Star History ]
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.
Click on link below for those in the Tallahassee area who paid the ultimate price for our freedom.
As the "War on Terrorism" continues, the Blue Star Service Banner tradition reminds us all that this new war touches every neighborhood in our land.
"Blue" and "Gold" Star Mother Organizations
Blue Star Mothers and
Gold Star Mothers
organizations were established during World War II and remain active today.