Central Valley Blue Star Moms
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The Service Flag
The Service flag is an official banner authorized by the Department of Defense for display by families who have members serving in the Armed Forces during any period of war or hostilities the United States may be engaged in.
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In 1917, President Wilson 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.
Most flags were hand made by mothers across the nation to show military support. One of the most famous flags was that of the five Sullivan brothers who all perished on the U.S.S. Juneau.
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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 design, manufacture and display of the Service flag.
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The Service Flag is an indoor flag and should be flown facing out from the front window of the home or organization.