Where the star shines: blue star banners decorate doors

During World War I, army Captain Robert L. Queissered patented a flag in honor of his two sons serving front line in 1917. This flag was named the Blue Star Banner. During World War II, the flag was put under strict guidelines, some of which including manufacturing. The guidelines address who could hang the flag or wear the lapel button.  

The blue star in the middle represents an immediate family member in the service. The banners can hold up to five stars. In the happenstance that a loved one should pass, a small gold star is placed over the blue star. In the event of multiple service members passing, the gold stars will be placed on the top right of the flag. Many people today hang the flags in the window of their homes to show support of their loved one in the service. 

Delegate Citlali Peña of eighth floor Madison, has a Blue Star Banner on her door. She has it to honor her brother, a marine of four years. 

“A friend at his high school told him he should try it out,” Peña.

Shortly after he signed up, he went to Basic Training in California. After three months, Peña remembers him coming home and he had fallen in love with the Marines. Four years later, he is serving in the Marines and attending college in South Carolina.

By: Holly Potosnyak