By Kevin Rex Heine, Section News
Posted on Fri May 27, 2011 at 11:45:51 AM EST
Tags: Memorial Day, Gold Star Service Flag, Blue Star Service Flag, Michigan Secretary of State, Michigan License Plates (all tags)
A service flag or service banner in the United States is an official banner that family members of service members in harm's way can display. The flag or banner is defined as a white field with a red border, with a blue star for each family member in active duty. A gold star (with a blue edge) represents a family member that died during service, without specifying cause of death. There is no analogous banner known in other countries, which makes the service flags a uniquely American tradition (which dates back to 1917).
And, via my friend Matt Hauser at MIGOP's Veteran and Military Families Monthly News, yesterday I learned of something specific that the State of Michigan is doing to honor the families of those of have given the last full measure of devotion in service to our country.
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