A Blue Star Service Banner displayed in the front window of a home is an American tradition. The banner lets others know that someone in the home is proudly serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. As Americans do their best to support the ongoing war on terror, the Blue Star Service Banner tradition reminds us all that war touches every neighborhood in our land.

Display of the Service Star Banner first came about during World War I. During WWI and WWII most flags were hand made by mothers across the nation. One of the most famous flags was that of the five Sullivan brothers who all perished on the U.S.S. Juneau.

The dimensions of a typical banner are 9 inches wide, 14 inches long with a two inch border. Stars are placed in the center. A Service Star Flag is much larger and can be flown on a regular flag pole.

Each blue star on the flag represents a service member in active duty. A gold star is displayed if a service member is killed in action or dies in service. If several stars are displayed in one family the gold star takes the honor of being placed at the top.

The American Legion is proud to present families with the banner and also has available a Blue Star Banner Corporate Flag for government and corporate America to show support for employees called to active duty with their Reserve or National Guard units. It should be noted that this is different from the 1926 War Mothers Flag hoisted every Veterans Day at 11 minutes after 11 o’clock, and which flies until sundown beneath the U.S. Flag to honor the millions of Americans killed in action during World War I and World War II.

Banners, flags, and magnets may also be purchased at several sites on the internet, or made by hand. Printable versions are also available through the Blue Star Mothers website at http://www.bluestarmothers.org