Patriotism & Citizenship
Blue Star Program
The Blue Star is an official banner that family members of active duty servicemen and women can display at home in their windows during time of war.The Blue Star is reported to have originated during World War I when a retired Army Captain and Ohio father designed and displayed the banner in honor of his two sons serving in Europe. A September 24, 1917 reference to the Blue Star was noted in the U. S. Congressional record.
“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.” VFW Post 5760 can facilitate the distribution of Blue Star banners to parents and family members of active duty servicemen and women. For more on Blue Star and the congressionally chartered Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc. visit bluestarmothers.org.
Flag Nation Program
Our Flag Nation program is something old for something new. Several VFW members have for years provided classes on flag etiquette and history, often times on request from schools or scouting organizations. Our Flag Nation program expands that traditional approach to the community by including a full range of flag related services to include a Color Guard for community, school, and special events; Flag Detail for raising, half-mast, and burial ceremonies; Flag Recovery for members of the community to return worn, damaged, torn, or faded flags to the VFW for proper disposal (there is a flag drop box located outside of the Keewaydin Clubhouse). The Post sponsors events for the ceremonial retiring of such flags with youth, sports, or scouting group participation. For more information regarding the flag please visit this website: www.usa.gov and search for “American flag”.
Veterans Remember
Many of our members have been asked to speak to school children, youth groups, sports teams, college students, researchers, civic organizations, small businesses, the media, and authors; sharing their wartime and military experiences for the benefit or others. The National VFW encourages members to speak openly with the public on reminiscences of their service as part of an emergent Oral History movement amongst veterans.
Veterans traditionally have unique and lasting insights into a broad range of leadership, technology, and management related areas. Post members will invariably share a wealth of additional experience following their military service in such professions as medicine, business, aviation, construction, manufacturing, government service and more. In the classroom, veterans bring that sense of reality to subjects such as history, geography, math, and the sciences; capturing students’ interest and generating genuine excitement.
Please contact the Post directly if to arrange to have one of our members speak to your organization.
Do You Need To Contact the VFW Mercer Island?
vfw.5760@gmail.com
Email is preferred