Perhaps in your travels around your hometown you have noticed a banner hanging in a few windows. Perhaps you have seen a white banner with a red border and a blue star sitting prominently in the middle hanging in the front window of a house or apartment. Have you seen the banner and wondered what it means? It surely has something to do with the military, but what? That is a service banner. It is a symbol that there is someone form that family serving in the armed forces. It is an honor reserved for families who have an immediate family member serving are allowed to display the banner. There is in fact a federal law that states the service banner may be displayed in windows of families who have an immediate family member serving in the armed forces during any period of war or hostilities. Organizations like churches and business may display the banner to honor the service of someone closely affiliated with that organization. For example, a business may honor the service of a reservists or guardsman called up to serve.

These service flags, also called “Blue Star Banners” were created during World War I and have been in use ever since. They are a symbol of pride and hope for the families of those who serve. They are also a means for those of us not currently serving to recognize those who are making sacrifices for our freedoms.

But what of the banners with gold stars? Those Gold Star Banners are the mark of a family who have lost a loved one in war. The gold star was designed to completely cover the blue star on a service banner and to honor the sacrifice that service member has made defending this country. Gold Star Families have earned a special place in the hearts of this nation. They are the mothers, fathers, wives and children of our fallen heroes. When you hear someone say they are a “Gold Star Mother” you immediately know that they have lost their child. They are those select few who have stood by a flag draped casket, listened to the mournful bugle and the twenty one guns. Those who have accepted a tri-folded flag and the thanks of a grateful nation and yet never had a chance to say goodbye to their loved one. When you see a gold star hanging in a window, stop for a minute and say a prayer for those who have served and mourned in silence.