Special banners honor those in service

Photo by Michael Woodward, Reporter

HONORING THE GUARDS — Cottonwood’s American Legion Commander David Call holds the Blue and Gold Star Service Banners along with the Post Everlasting document.

Blue Star Service Banners are now available at the American Legion in Cottonwood. The purpose of the banner is to honor family members now serving, as well as those lost, during times of war.

“It’s a way to show your patriotism,” said David Call, American Legion Commander of Post #746 in Cottonwood. “The banner costs $8. It strictly covers the cost of the banner. We make no money off this. It’s not a fundraiser; it’s a service.”

The banners have blue stars in the middle representing the number of immediate family members now serving the country in a time of war. If someone in the family should die in service, a gold star may be laid over the blue one.

“I would never charge anyone for a gold star,” Call said. Along with the gold star banners, the American Legion presents a Post Everlasting document. The document is a religious commemoration of the soldier’s passing.

According to the American Legion web page, the banner was created in 1917. Army Captain Robert L. Queissner designed and patented the banner to signify his two sons serving in WWI.

“It’s real big on the East Coast, but people on the West Coast aren’t too hot on it,” Call said. “People don’t realize, even though the U.S. sticks its nose in where it shouldn’t be sometimes, this has to do with the pride we have for those who serve or served our country.”

To order a banner, the Legion requires proof of present service and an $8 donation. For more information, call the American Legion in Cottonwood at 347-7141.