[Oatka]

Here's one idea I think America should reintroduce. I remember seeing these when I was a kid, and sadly, remember all the Gold Star Mothers.

http://www.ohio.com/mld/beaconjournal/news/state/5199504.htm

Ohio family brings back WWII tradition

Parents hang a banner with blue star for each child they have in Army

Associated Press

CINCINNATI - William and Mary Staun are reviving a World War II tradition.

A banner with three blue stars on a white background hangs in their window to let everyone know they have three children in the Army, all preparing for a possible war with Iraq.

``I guess my greatest wish is that even if we go to war that my kids will be safe -- not just my kids but everybody's kids,'' Mary Staun said.

The Stauns' younger daughter, Peggy, 19, is in the military police at Fort Benning, Ga.

William, 22, is a tank gunner in Kuwait, and Rosemary, 24, is a West Point graduate and an officer in the transportation corps at Fort Stewart, Ga. Her husband, Capt. Mack Sutton, is deployed in Kuwait.

The last time the Staun family was together, in January, the children talked about their feelings about going to war.

``The kids were saying, `We've been trained, we've been primed for this. Let's just do it and get it over with,' '' Mary Staun said.

She said the family's commitment to community service helped prepare the children for military service.

``We ourselves are committed to our church, and we do a lot of volunteer work,'' Mary Staun said. ``Their schools required them to do a lot of volunteer work before they graduated.''

She said she and her husband never tried to steer their children toward the military. ``We had a positive image because we lived near West Point at one time and sometimes went to the chapel at West Point,'' she said.

-- 30 --

This is what they look like:

http://www.homeofheroes.com/hallofheroes/1st_floor/flag/war_mothers_print.html

and can be ordered here:
http://www.serviceflags.com/order.htm#flag

Here's another idea - Patriotic envelopes (Don't know of anybody printing these today - ask yor printer):

http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Feb/20032176307853697154044.jpg

[4v50 Gary]

Bring back the 48 star flag. Mass will be absorbed by VT and ruled from Vermont. California will be absorbed by NV and ruled from Carson City. Of course, the citizenry of ex-Mass or ex-CA can't vote for their rulers in either former states since they'll only vote their rights away - again.

[Coronach]

War related, not gun related. Open (and discussion is encouraged to continue), but moved.

Mike

[Country Boy]

I saw one of these in a window in Milbank SD. I actually knew what it was, thanks to a movie. ("My Dog Skip" FYI)

[BigG]

Did anybody else see this one?

Beetle Bailey (http://beetlebailey.com/images/flag.swf)

[TarpleyG]

What color is the star if you have a kid in the Corps? (Or Navy, Air Force, or Coast Guard for that matter)

GT

[coonan357]

my grandmother had one for when my uncle went to vietnam , I still see it when ever I open his footlocker , there was a picture in the newspaper the day the army came to notify her that uncle mike was killed in action and in the corner of the picture you could see this banner hanging in the window . .. the one in the trunk has a gold star , to all those who 's children or relatives serving may God bless them all .

[DonP]

My son went in the Army two years ago and since the day he started basic training I've had a blue service star in my front window. I couldn't buy one anywhere so I made my own, and I am a terrible seamstress. But there it is, very ugly with a slightly lopsided star, but very proud.

After 9/11 I also picked up a couple of blue service star lapel pins at a local gun show (the only place I have found them it should be noted, last bastion of patriotism perhaps?) and gave them to his grandparents and brother and sister to wear.

In 1943 - 1945 my grandmother had a five star flag for two sons, two son in laws and a husband serving. In 1970 - 1971 my mother had a two star flag while I was in the 1st Cav and my brother was in the 82nd airborne. It has a long tradition in my family.

We get a lot of questions about what that pin is all about and I tell them. No one has been stupid enough to challenge me on how wrong this all is and that's good because I don't want to serve time for an assault charge.

Next week he ships out to a camp near Kuwait city.

If you have a family member in the service, make a service star flag and get a lapel pin. It ain't as flashy as a "No War for Oil" protest sign, but it does send a message.

Don P.

[Khornet]

same color irrespective of service branch. I say bring them back....but they'll be back anyway. People are again proud to have servicemen in their families.

BTW, it just occurred to me that I'm the only one of my generation in my entire extended family, paternal and maternal sides, American branch and Costa Rican branch, to ever wear the uniform. But my father did, and his father.

[DonP]

For every child in the service it's one blue five pointed star centered on a white field with a red border. Obviously if you have more than one person serving you need a larger banner.

Blue Star = Seving active duty military

Gold Star = KIA or MIA

Most of the flags I have seen, and the one I made for my son, are pennant shapes, with an inverted "V" shaped bottom. They are hung in a front window and should be visible from the street.

Mine is about 12 inches wide overall and hangs down from a dowel about 20 inches. I have seen rectangular service star banners, but the pennant shape seems to be more common.

Don P.

[jmbg29]

http://emblem.legion.org/AmericanLegn/assets/html/homepage.asp


Blue Star Service Banners $6.95

jmbg29 1st Vice Commander, 1st Lt. Benjamin F. Wilson American Legion Post 159.