Home : The Home Front :The Tradition Continues...
The Blue Star Service Banner was designed and patented in 1917 by World War I Army Capt. 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 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 banner as well as guidelines indicating when, and by whom, the Service flag could be flown or the Service Lapel button could be worn. The banner can be seen hanging in the front window of Mrs. Ryan's house in the movie Saving Private Ryan. The Blue Star Service Banner is an 8 by 16-inch white field with a blue star(s) sewn onto a red banner. Today, Blue Star Service Banners are displayed by families who have a loved one serving in the armed forces, including activated members of the National Guard and Reserves, whether the family member is a son, daughter, brother, sister, wife, husband, cousin, grandchild, etc. 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. 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. A gold star replaced the blue star if that relative was killed or died in service. If more than one star appears on the flag, the gold star takes the place of honor nearest the staff. Blue Star Mothers and Gold Star Mothers organizations were established during World War I and remain active today, although with a reduced membership. 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. The Home Front CampaignThe war of the 21st Century is very different than World War II. We civilians were asked to make many sacrifices during the course of the war against Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan. There were ration cards for everything – from food to clothing to gasoline. We saved tin cans and metal to be recycled for the war effort. Most of the young men were serving in battle and most of the women went to work in the factories for the first time. They were called upon to sacrifice and they responded. They started out with a series of defeats and ended in unconditional surrender of the enemy and the triumphant victory. Just as civilians answered the call to support America then, it's time to again answer that call now. Like the Imperial Japanese navy, the al Qaeda dealt our nation a terrible, sneak attack. Like that earlier generation, our military responded to this latest attack with a devastating and victorious attack against the Taliban and al Qaeda in Afghanistan. Just like that enemy of World War II, the terrorists are surprised at the sleeping giant they awakened. The war against the terrorists continues but there seems to be so little we civilians can do. AngelCare International is a 27 year old international relief and development organization. A Naval officer who was concerned about orphans being left behind by the U.S. Forces leaving Vietnam and had a desire to help the Vietnamese Boat people started it in the mid 70s. We operate schools and medical clinics in Third World countries. We work in U.S. schools to promote the USA Today/USA Weekend's annual Make A Difference Day and offers Americans opportunities to have short-term experiences in Cambodia, Guatemala, and Tanzania. The organization has a proven track record for addressing and solving real problems. AngelCare wants to focus the attention of Americans upon the very real financial problems being faced by our military families because of our country's war against terrorists. We are inviting civilian Americans to join our Home Front Campaign to help our fellow Americans serving in the military.
American LegionThe American Legion is founded March 15-17, 1919, in Paris at the first caucus by members of the American Expeditionary Force. On Sept. 16, 1919 the U.S. Congress charters The American Legion. The American Legion passes resolution supporting the Boy Scouts of America. Today, the Legion is the chartering agency for more than 1,700 Scouting units that involve 64,000 youths. In June, 1923, the first "Flag Code" is drafted during a conference called by The American Legion in Washington, D.C. The code eventually was adopted by Congress in 1942. Today, the Legion is at the forefront of efforts to gain a constitutional amendment to protect the American flag from physical desecration. American Legion Baseball program is created on July 17, 1925. Today, more than 60 percent of professional baseball players are graduates of The American Legion Baseball program. About 89,000 high-school-age youths play on Legion-sponsored teams each year. Membership by 1931 in The American Legion increases to more than one million veterans. The American Legion is rekindling the tradition and spirit of pride in our military men and women following the horrific terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The American Legion is providing banners to families in communities across the nation.
VFWThe Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States traces its roots back to 1899 when veterans of the Spanish-American War (1898) and the Philippine Insurrection (1899-1902) founded local organizations to secure rights and benefits for their service: Many arrived home wounded or sick. There was no medical care or veterans' pension for them, and they were left to care for themselves. In their misery, some of these veterans banded together and formed organizations with what would become known as the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. After chapters were formed in Ohio, Colorado and Pennsylvania, the movement quickly gained momentum. By 1915, membership grew to 5,000; by 1936, membership was almost 200,000. The VFW mission is to honor the dead by helping the living through veterans' service, community service, national security and a strong national defense. | ||||||||||
| ||||||||||
| Links & Recommended Sites | Oneliners, Stories, etc. |
| Questions? Anything Not Work? Not Look Right? My Policy Is To Blame The Computer. |
| About The Military And Wars | Link To Us | Site Navigation | Site Map |