Blue Star Mothers Mission
Our Mission
We are a Chapter of Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc. Our membership consists of local mothers, fathers, family members and friends who have loved ones currently serving or that have served in the Armed Forces of the United States of America.
We come together to share our devotion to, our pride in, and support the efforts and sacrifices of our active military men and women, as well as, our veterans through various activities and community projects. We work with gratitude and love, to show all service people that we appreciate their service.
We proudly display the Blue Star Flag, whose history dates back to World War I, in our windows when we have a loved one currently serving in any branch of the military during times of conflict or war.
Blue Star Mothers History
Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc.
On January 22, 1942 the Flint News Advertiser printed a coupon asking Mothers of serviceman to return the coupon after filling it out. The following February 1st 300 mothers met in the Durant Hotel, in Flint Blue Star Mothers Michigan. Captain George H. Maines, who had conceived the idea for this group, acted as the chair of this first meeting. It was decided that after receiving 1000 responses from the ad to form a permanent organization.
On February 6th the organization was reported on Congressional record. Chapters then formed in Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, New York, Pennsylvania, Oregon, California, Iowa and Washington. In June of 1960 the organization was chartered by congress.
Mothers volunteered throughout the tough times of World War II. They worked in hospitals, train stations, packed care packages for soldiers and were an working part of homeland security during times our time of war. The organization waned in size over the years but has held together by mothers showing pride in both their children and country. In recent times we have began to grow in strength. Being attacked on our own soil has once again started mothers hanging flags in their windows at home proclaiming pride in the fact that we have children protecting our freedom during at time of war.
Our organization not only provides support for active duty service personnel, promotes patriotism, assists Veterans organizations, and are available to assist in homeland volunteer efforts to help our country remain strong.
On February 6th the organization was reported on Congressional record. Chapters then formed in Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, New York, Pennsylvania, Oregon, California, Iowa and Washington. In June of 1960 the organization was chartered by congress.
Blue Star Mothers of NH History
The Blue Star Mothers of New Hampshire is a local chapter of the Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc., a non-profit 501(c)(3) veterans service organization in New Hampshire. Our chapter was chartered in September 2005 and continues to be a strong organization made up of proud Moms who have, or have had children honorably serve in the military and have a desire to promote patriotism. Our organization is a non-partisan, non-political, non-sectarian organization with a strong desire to fulfill our mission of supporting active duty and veteran service members of the U.S. Armed Forces. We are a very special group of women, who work hard to support our military. Everyone is welcome, regardless of whether you have a child who is currently serving or has served in the military. Our fun loving group of Blue Star Moms would love for anyone to join us at a general meeting, packing party or scheduled event (check out the calendar for scheduled date and time of events).
Our Service Banner
This is the Service Flag for the Blue Star Mothers of America. It is hung in a front window by a Mom whose child is serving active duty during a period of war or hostilities. The blue star represents hope that our children will return home safely. The red border represents pride, extreme pride in our children for their dedication and devotion to our country.
Multiple stars can be displayed on the flag; each star represents a child who is serving in the Armed Forces. In 1966, the Department of Defense made this flag the official flag that families can display to represent honor, hope and pride for their deployed family member(s).
Captain Robert Queissner, designer of the Blue Star Banner
The first Blue Star Banner appeared in 1917, when an Army captain named Robert Queissner designed it as a tribute to his two sons serving in WWI. Queissner was a Captain of the 5th Ohio Infantry, and his two sons were stationed on the front lines in Europe. The flag quickly became very popular, and many Americans used it as an unofficial mark of a child in service. In 1917, President Wilson approved a suggestion made by the Women's Committee of the Council of National Defense that mothers who lost a child to the war wear a gold star on the traditional black mourning arm band. This led to the custom of covering the blue star with a gold star when the service member that the flag honored died in battle. Throughout WWII, using the Blue Star Banner to signify a child at war became a much more popular practice. By the end of WWI, the flag was made official when the Department of War issued specifications on the manufacture of the banner and guidelines indicating when the flag could be flown.
