For countless families  throughout this country, every day is Veterans Day. Quietly they bear the burden of this nation’s decisions to be at war in a foreign land.  These are the families of our valiant troops and unsung heroes – those who are serving and have served in the United States military and have assumed their places among us as ordinary citizens.  They are and have been willing to offer their lives for our safety and protection if necessary – an immeasurable gift; a gift that few are willing to give.  The silence of their families speaks volumes.  We read about them only when something catastrophic happens to a service member in their family. 

 There is a symbol that is universally recognized by military families.  It often goes unrecognized by the vast majority of people, through no fault of their own.  This symbol is the service star banner, unceremoniously displayed on doors or in windows when a family member is serving our country during a time of war.

The Blue Star Service Flag is officially authorized by the United States Department of Defense * for display by families who have members serving in the Armed Forces during any period of war or hostilities for the full duration of these hostilities.

 The history of how the Service Flag came into being is as patriotic and touching as the symbolism each star represents to the families that display them. The service flag (also known as “blue star banner” or “son in service flag”) was designed and patented by World War I Army Captain Robert L. Queissner of the 5th Ohio Infantry who had two sons serving on the front line.  The flag quickly became the unofficial symbol of a son or daughter in service.  President Wilson became part of its history when in 1918 he approved a suggestion made by the Women’s Committee of the Council of National Defenses that mothers who had lost a child serving in the war to wear a gold gilt star on the traditional black mourning arm band.  This led to the tradition of covering the blue star with a gold star on the Service Flag to indicate that the service member had died or been killed during a time of war. The color of the stars is also symbolic in that the blue star represents hope and pride and the gold star represents sacrifice to the cause of liberty and freedom.

 During World War II, the practice of displaying the service flag became much more widespread.  In 1942, the Blue Star Mothers of America was founded as a veteran service organization and was part of a movement to provide care packages to military members serving overseas and also provide assistance to families who encountered hardships as a result of their sons, or husbands, serving during the w ar.

 Virtually every home and organization displayed banners to indicate the number of members of the family or organization serving in the Armed Forces, and again, covered those blue stars with a gold star in the event of a service member’s death.

 In 1960, Congress chartered the Blue Star Mothers of America as a veterans service organization and in 1966, the Department of Defense revised the specifications for the design, manufacture and display of the Service Flag. 

 The Service Flag may also be displayed by an organization to honor the members of that organization serving in the Armed Forces during a period of war or hostilities.

* (Service Flag History taken from U.S. Naval Academy literature.)

 So, if you see a blue or gold star Service Flag displayed in a home, know that for this family, Veterans Day is every day.  The seriousness of the mission of our troops is very personal for them.  Honor them.  Thank them.  They serve, too.