Figure 1.-- Families of service men were entitled to display a service flag or banner, usually placed in the front wibdow. This was a tradition began in World War I. The banners had a wide red norder with an interior white field with blue stars for each active duty serviceman. A gold star meant that a family member had been killed on active duty. This gave rise to the term 'Gold Star Mothers'. Here is an example from Circleville, Ohio. The press caption read, "Light Root for Dad's Return: Clarence Allison, 35. just inducted into the Navy and stationed at Great Lakes Naval Training Center, Chicago, has aot of cheering from the sidelines. t comes from these eight children he left behind proudly looking at that service star. They are, left to rightin rear: Doris, 9; Ruth, 10; Paul, 8; Charles, 12; and Richard, 13. The three little tykes in front are Judy, 1; Caroline, 6, and Gerald, 4." The photograph was taken November 17, 1943.

Families of service men were entitled to display a service flag or banner, usually placed in the front window. This was a tradition began in World War I. Many American wars were controversial. Thanks to the Japanese, World War II was not. And this was before the extent of NAZI barbarity became well known. The public was all in to the war effort, rather surpriing given the strength of the Isolationist Movement before the War. There is no data on the prevalence of families displaying this banners, but our general sence tht it was very widespread to do so. The actual banners had a wide red norder with an interior white field with the service stars. There wre blue stars for each active duty serviceman. A gold star meant that a family member had been killed on active duty. This gave rise to the term 'Gold Star Mothers'. These banners were a way that families had of honoring and thinking of their service members. Seeing the blue stars was a way of keeping their absent fmily mmbers constantly in their mind. And for the gold stars, a part of the greving process. Other terms were used such as Blue of Gold Star wives. Gold Star Mother is certainly the most emotive term. Charitable support organizations were established for Gold Star mothers, Gold Star wives, Blue Star mothers, and Blue Star wives. The last Sunday in September is observed as Gold Star Mother's Day. Gold Star family members are entitled to wear a Gold Star Lapel Button.

Created: 7:03 PM 1/27/2018
Last updated: 7:03 PM 1/27/2018