In 2010 while my son was deployed, I ordered my flag and proudly displayed it in my front window.
I was amazed at the number of people that did not have a clue why I had that blue star flag in my window.
My neighbor, had a flag with 2 blue stars in hers, She knew.
So many questions on FB… “What are you talking about? A Blue what??”
So I answered:
The Service flag, also called the Blue Star Flag, was designed and patented by WWI Army Captain Robert L. Queisser of the 5th Ohio Infantry who had two sons serving on the front line. The flag quickly became the unofficial symbol of a child in service.
President Wilson became part of this 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 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 has died.
Give me the greatness of heart to see,
The difference between duty and his love for me.
Give me understanding, so that I may know, When duty calls him, he must go.
Give me a task to do each day, To fill the time when he’s away.
When he’s in a foreign land, Keep him safe in your loving hand.
And Lord, when duty is in the field, Please protect him and be his shield.
And Lord, when deployment is so long, Please stay with me and keep me strong.
Author unknown
K’s home in 2010
Becoming a Military Parent
On behalf of the Blue Star Mother’s of America, it is with great honor that we welcome you into the journey of being a military parent!
We are there with you as you cross the bridge to becoming a Blue Star Mother and Father to support you in any way we can.
We are a support group, whose members consist of Mothers, Fathers, Spouses, Siblings, Grandparents, Extended Family and Friends of someone who has or has had a loved one in the military. We support each other, our military and veterans.
Since WWI mothers have hung “Blue Star Flags” in their windows while their children served in the armed forces especially during conflicts or wars.
To be a Blue Mother or Father is an Honor only your child can give to you. The Blue Star stands for hope and pride.
Becoming a military parent continues the life long journey … of hope and pride. As when your child was born, you were filled with that hope and pride as well as excitement, anxiety, fear and great joy. As you step into the walk of being a military parent that journey continues and once again life changes. You find yourself noticing even more the patriotic symbols all around you, flying your United States flag with a different kind of pride. Thus “Supporting Our Troops” in a way you have probably never before.
Life changes, as your child will hold him or herself to a higher standard, you too will find it changes your life. Forever supporting your child in a different way with even more hope and pride for serving our country to keep our land free.
May you and your child be blessed while this journey of life unfolds! Remember: “To be a Blue Star Mother or Father is an Honor only your child can give to you!”
Written by: Jean T. Duane National 2nd Vice President ~ 2007
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