Blue & Gold Star

[Melissa Greenfield]

Here is the history of the blue star and gold star flags. Many of you have said you never heard of them. Hope this helps!
The Blue Star Banner was designed in 1917 during World War I by an Army officer who had two sons serving on the front lines. This small banner, which officially measures 8.5" by 14", quickly became the unofficial symbol of a child in military service. Today, families with loved ones serving proudly display the banner in their windows, one star for each family service member, as a reminder to their communities that defending and preserving America's freedom demands much sacrifice.

National Blue Star Mothers
On January 22, 1942 the Flint News Advertiser printed a coupon asking mothers of servicemen to fill out and return the coupon. The following February 1st, 300 mothers met in the Durant Hotel, in Flint Michigan. Captain George H. Maines, who had conceived the idea for this group, acted as the chair of this first meeting. It was decided that after receiving 1000 responses from the ad to form a permanent organization.


On February 6th the organization was reported on Congressional record. Chapters then formed in Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, New York, Pennsylvania, Oregon, California, Iowa and Washington. In June of 1960 the organization was chartered by Congress.

Mothers volunteered throughout the tough times of World War II. They worked in hospitals, train stations, packed care packages for soldiers and were a working part of homeland security during our time of war. The organization waned in size over the years but has held together by mothers showing pride in both their children and country. In recent times we have began to grow in strength. Being attacked on our own soil has once again started mothers hanging flags in their windows at home proclaiming pride in the fact that we have children protecting our freedom during a time of war.

Our organization provides support for active duty service personnel, promotes patriotism, assists Veterans organizations, and assists in homeland volunteer efforts to help our country remain strong. Visit the Blue Star Mothers web site at www.bluestarmothers.org.



Gold Star Parents
The Blue Star Moms are committed to remembering our fallen heroes and their sacrifices, the burden of which their families will forever carry. Since World War I, when the Blue Star banner that hung in the front window became an unofficial symbol of a military family member serving overseas, the blue star was covered with gold if a service member was lost in battle.

Today, a banner that displays this gold star is given to families whose loved one is lost while on active duty serving our country. The Blue Star Moms present personalized Gold Star Banners to families who so request. For more information contact us at Gold Star Banners.

California has lost more service members than any other state. To honor them and their families, the Blue Star Moms partner annually with the Marines Memorial Association in San Francisco to preserve the memory of these heroic men and women.

In January 2008, once more we will host a private, two-day Remembrance and Honor reception, memorial and dinner for California Gold Star parents to connect and share their stories of the bravery and lives of their sons and daughters.

For further information about this event, contact: Nancy Totman at [e-mail]

View the Gold Star Parents Album.