Whittier, CA - Parks, Recreation and Community Services
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The Blue Star and Gold Star programs were instituted by the City Council to honor Whittier residents who have family members currently serving in the military. Information on the service men and women is on the City's website to allow all members of the community to recognize those who are serving in the armed forces.
Fill out the Military Recognition Program Application here.
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 line. It quickly became the unofficial symbol of a child in the service.
On September 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 mother and father – their children.”
During World War II, the Department of war issued specifications on the manufacturing of the flag as well as guidelines indicating when and by whom the service flag could be flown, and the service lapel button could be worn.
The Department of Defense updated the guidelines on December 1, 1967, with DoD Directive 1348. I, which implemented an Act of Congress authorizing a service flag and a service lapel button (U.S.C. 179-182).
Today Blue Star Service Banner are displayed by families who have a loved one serving in the armed forces including the National Guard and Reserves of all military departments. 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.
The City of Whittier is proud to have the opportunity to honor those family members.
By completing the application, city residents with immediate family members in the military will receive a Blue Star Service Flag, lapel pin, and window decal for each individual. Additionally, a banner with the honoree’s name will be placed along Whittier Boulevard.
For those service men and women who make the ultimate sacrifice, the Gold Star is awarded to the service member’s immediate family when their loved one is killed in action or dies while honorably serving during war time. The Gold Star Service Flag is displayed the same way as the Blue Star Service Flag, but with an additional smaller Gold Star centered within the Blue Star to create a blue border surrounding the Gold Star.
For more information on the Blue Star and Gold Star programs, you may contact the Community Services Division at (562) 567-9460.