I Support The Troops

While surfing the net this morning, I stumbled across the Blue Star Blogroll published by Beth over at The Blue Star Chronicles. Having our son serve a year in Iraq with the 81st Brigade of the Washington ARMY National Guard made us very aware of the history and meaning of the Blue Star Service Banner. The Blue Star Service Banner was designed and patented in 1917 by World War I Army Capt. Robert L. Queissner of the 5th Ohio Infantry who had two sons serving on the front line. It quickly became the unofficial symbol of a child in the 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." I decided to add The Bodie Specter to the Blue Star Blogroll to show my support for the troops as well as my pride in my son and his service to our country.