North-Eastern Post 459
658 Michigan Street NE Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503


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This page is under construction 

  

Project Blue Star 459

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Our Mission:  To recognize and support all Legion Family 459 members who have a son or daughter currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.  Why the term "Blue Star?"  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

 

  Currently Serving Our Country

   (listed in alphabetical order)

          Darin_Lambert.jpg                                       Dylan_Lambert.jpg

               SPC4, Darin Lambert, US Army                                                 SPC4, Dylan Lambert, US Army

                               Iraq                                                                                  Ft. Lewis, WA

               Member Parent: Rex Lambert                                                    Member Parent: Rex Lambert

          

         

                Noel_Maciejewski.jpg                   Andrew_Maxim.jpg           

          SPC Noel Maciejewski (holding flag) US Army              Pvt. Andrew Maxim, US Army

                              Ft. Hood, TX                                                       Iraq

                  Member Parent: Rosemary Maciejewski                           Member Parent: Diane Feist

 

                                                        Anthony_Maxim.jpg

                                                         Corp. Anthony Maxim, US Marines

                                                                     Okinawa, Japan

                                                            Member Parent: Diane Feist

 

          

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 Are you a Legion 459 Family member with a son or daughter currently serving our country?  We would be honored to add your child to this web page!  There are 2 ways to get this done:  1.  E-mail webmaster Joe  at sal459jh@yahoo.com with a photo attached, or 2.  drop a photo off to one of the Post 459 bartenders, who will put it in an envelope marked for Joe.  Don't forget we also need your son or daugther's rank, branch of service, location and your name as parent.  Thanks!

 

 

Blue Star Service Banners Facts and History

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 fron 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.

During World War II, the Department of War issued specifications on manufacture of the flag, as well as guidelines indicating when the service flag could be flown and by whom. Restrictions were also passed on who can wear the service lapel. The Department of Defense authorized the service flag and service lapel on Dec. 1, 1967, with DoD Directive 1348.1, which implemented an act of Congress (U.S. Code 179-182). The Blue Star Service Banner is an 8.5-by-14-inch white field with one or more blue stars sewn onto a red banner. The size varies but should be in proportion to the U.S. flag. 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 service members.

Blue Star Service Banners were widely used during both world wars, but were not embraced during the Korean or Vietnam wars with the same enthusiasm. The American Legion rekindled that spirit of pride in our military men and women following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks by providing banners to military families across the nation.

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