Bay Legion seeks families of active military personnel

Photo by Linda Potter

The Bay Village American Legion is seeking families with active military members. These families are eligible to receive a Blue Star Service Banner to display in the window of their home to signify that they are a Blue Star Family. The Blue Star Service Banner is a reminder that war touches every neighborhood.

The Blue Star Banner was designed and patented in 1917 by World War I Army Captain Robert L. Queissner of the 5th Ohio Infantry who had two sons serving on the front line. The flag quickly became the unofficial symbol of a child in service. In 1967, the Department of Defense authorized the service flag with an act of Congress. 

The Department of Defense specifies that family members authorized to display the flag include the wife, husband, mother, father, stepfather, parent through adoption, foster parents who stand or stood in loco parentis, children, stepchildren, children through adoptions, brothers, sisters, half-brothers and half-sisters of a member of the armed forces of the United States.

Parents or spouses of active military personnel should contact Americanism Chairman, Jim Potter, at 440 899-9343 and arrange to get a Blue Star banner.