WELCOME TO BLUE STAR SALUTE OF ALABAMA
Sixth Annual Blue Star Salute Memorial Day Monday 31 May 2010,
10 AM to 4 PM at The American Village Highway 119, Montevallo, AL.
Click here to see the 2010 Blue Star Salute Program Information
Blue Star Salute Foundation, Inc.
Established 15 Dec 2005
“Partners in Patriotism”
Founding Organizations:
American Legion, Dept of AL
AL Society, Sons of American Revolution
The American Village Citizenship Trust
American Gold Star Mothers, Inc.
Gold Star Wives of America, Inc.
Blue Star Salute of Alabama is a concerted effort by local, state and national military, political, veteran and caring citizen groups and organizations and sets aside a day for particularly significant appreciation and honors for America’s military… (active, reserves and national guard), of all branches: Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Air Force and the historic US Merchant Marines. This includes a somber “Gold Star Salute” to those service members who have paid the ultimate price for America’s freedoms. Blue Star Salute also honors all those who are veterans of such military service and actively supports Alabama’s Veterans Homes.
HISTORY OF THE BLUE STAR AND GOLD STAR SERVICE BANNERS…….The Tradition Continues:
A Blue Star Service Banner displayed in the window of a home is a long tradition in America. The Banner lets others know that someone in this home is serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. As the "War against Terrorism" continues, the Blue Star Service Banner reminds us all that this new war touches every neighborhood in our land.
The Blue Star Service Banner was designed and patented in 1917 by World War I Army Capt. Robert L. Queissner of the 5th Ohio Infantry who had two sons serving on the front lines. It quickly became the unofficial symbol of a child in the service. On Sept. 24, 1917, an Ohio Congressman read the following into the US Congressional Record: "…The Mayor of Cleveland, the Chamber of Commerce and the Governor of Ohio have adopted this service banner. The world should know of those who give so much for liberty. The dearest thing in all the world to a father and mother - their children."
During World War II, the Department of War issued specifications on the manufacture of the Banner as well as guidelines indicating when, and by whom, the Service Banner could be displayed or the Service Lapel button could be worn. The Banner can be seen hanging in the front window of Mrs. Ryan's house in the movie” Saving Private Ryan.” The Blue Star Service Banner is an 8 by 14-inch white field with a blue star(s) and a red border. Today, Blue Star Service Banners are displayed by families who have a loved one serving in the Armed Forces, including activated members of the National Guard and Reserves, whether the family member is a son, daughter, brother, sister, wife, husband, cousin, grandchild, etc. The Banner displayed in the front window of a home, shows a family's pride in their loved one serving in the military, and reminds others that preserving America's freedom demands much.
One Blue Star represents one family member serving in the armed forces. A Banner can have up to four stars, signifying that four members of that family are currently in military uniform on active duty. Sadly, war causes death!
When the Blue Star is replaced by a Gold Star, that signifies the death of a family member of that household.
Blue Star Service Banners, while widely used across America during World Wars I and II, were not embraced during the Korean or Vietnam wars with nearly the same enthusiasm. The American Legion is rekindling the tradition and spirit of pride in our military men and women following the horrific terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The Blue Star Salute Foundation, Inc. seeks to provide families of all deploying troops a Blue Star Service Banner to hang in their windows.
L-R: Michael Staley, Deputy Chief of Staff for M/C Bachus; R. Glenn Nivens, Secretary & Agent, BSSFI; Spencer Bachus, US Congressman, Al 6th District; Paul Sims, Board Member, BSSFI. Photo courtesy of Caleb Goodwyn, B'ham Fld Rep M/C Bachus.
13th Sept 2007 - US Congressman Spencer Bachus is presented Blue Star Banners which he plans to display in his Washington, DC and Birmingham offices. Congressman Bachus intends to exhibit these banners to publicly express his honor and respect for all those constituents and constituent family members who are serving worldwide in the military services.
Blue Star Salute Foundation appreciates very much the interest and support of Congressman Bachus and his staff for proclaiming publicly and collectively that "WE HONOR THOSE WHO SERVE"!
L-R. RADM W. Clyde Marsh, USN (Ret) Executive Commissioner, ADVA, Ms. Kimberly Justice, Veterans Homes Cordinator; Bill Wyatt, American Legion, BSSFI and board member of ADVA; Rachel Clinkscale, BSSFI and Gold Star Wives of America, Inc; R. Glenn Nivens, ALSSAR, Agent and Secretary BSSFI.
(Photo Courtesy of Michael Northcutt, Asst Com ADVA)
ALABAMA'S BLUE STAR SALUTE FOUNDATION SUPPORTS STATE VETERANS HOMES. Leaders of Alabama's Blue Star Salute Foundation presents donations to the State Veterans Affairs Executive Committee in support of the three State VA Homes located in Mobile, Huntsville and Alexander City. Blue Star Salute Foundation is a "Partners in Patriotism" led by the ALSSAR, American Legion, Gold Star Wives & Mothers and The American Village of Montevallo which promotes an annual state-wide salute to America's military service personnel, veterans and a special Gold Star Salute to "Fallen Heroes".
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