The Blue Star Banner to fly over New Hampshire State House

The Blue Star Banner has been delivered to the NH State House. The banner will fly over the state house on September 10, 2010 and September 11, 2010.

It’s an American tradition to display a Blue Star Service Banner in the window of a home when a loved one is proudly serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. As Americans support troops deployed overseas in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, the Blue Star Service Banner is a reminder that war touches every neighborhood.

The Blue Star Service Banner was designed and patented in 1917 by World War I Army Capt. Robert L. Queisser of the 5th Ohio Infantry. Queisser’s two sons served on the front line. His banner quickly became the unofficial symbol for parents with a child in active military service.

On Sept. 24, 1917, an Ohio congressman read the following into the Congressional Record: “The mayor of Cleveland, the Chamber of Commerce and the governor of Ohio have adopted this service flag. 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.” Blue Star Mothers and Gold Star Mothers organizations were established during World War I and remain active today.

Today, families display these banners when they have a loved one serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. The blue star represents one family member serving, and a banner can have up to five stars. If the individual is killed or dies, a smaller golden star is placed over it. Gold stars are placed above the blue stars or to the top right of the flag, in the event a flag represents multiple servicemembers.

On behalf of the Blue Star Mothers of New Hampshire we give a Blue Star Banner to the State of New Hampshire to fly over our State House in a display of pride for those servicemembers actively serving from our state.

We will be presenting the Banner at a Governor and Council meeting in the fall on behalf of all military families currently serving.