The Silver Star Families of America
Encyclopedia
The Silver Star Families of America (SSFOA) is a 501(c) tax exempt organization dedicated to honoring and supporting wounded, ill and injured veterans of all branches of the armed forces of the United States
of America. The organization was founded in 2004 by Steve and Diana Newton with the assistance of Joseph and Sharon Newton and the entire Newton family. It is not related to the military decoration
designated the Silver Star
.
The Department of Defense, given the authority to govern the use of the service banners, concluded that existing Blue Star Service Banner or Gold Star Service Banners and Flags could not be altered. A new Silver Star Service Flag and Banner were designed and were quickly accepted widely used throughout the United States.
The Silver Star Service Flag/Banner are trademarked. The name "Silver Star Service Banner" is TM.
The actual Silver Star Service Banner is 8.5" x 14."
Footnote to service banner history: there is also a "War Mothers" Flag that was first flown over the capitol on Veterans Day in 1926. This Flag is still flown every year on Veterans Day
starting at 11 minutes after 11 o'clock to sundown.
of the sacrifice made for them by so many.
The Silver Star Service Banner is reserved for those who have
been wounded, contracted a serious illness or injury in a war
zone.
The Silver Star Service Flag may be flown by anyone as a symbols of
remembrance and honor.
It may be flown during war or peace time.
If flown with the United States Flag, the Silver Star Service Flag must be lower and/or of a smaller
size than the United States Flag.
Disposal methods are the same as those of the United States Flag.
Qualifications for receiving the Silver Star Service Banner are located here:
Note: The grommets from a properly disposed of Flag can be cleaned and given as recognition for service.
To date, 50 states, Guam, Saipan
, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Chickasaw Nation
and the District of Columbia has issued proclamations recognizing the Silver Star Families of America and Silver Star Service Banner Day. Over 2,900 cities and counties have also signed on.
The State of Missouri has made the day into law.
Silver Star Service Banner Day is now in the United States Congress
.
On April 21, 2010, the United States House of Representatives
passed H Res. 855, a stand alone resolution, making the SSFOA Silver Star Service Banner official and making May 1 Silver Star Service Banner Day.
"Resolved, That the House of Representatives supports the designation of ‘Silver Star Service Banner Day’ and calls upon the people of the United States to observe the day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities." .
On May 19, 2010 the United States Senate
followed suit and approved Senate Resolution 534 and it was sent to the President of the United States
.
"Resolved, That the Senate designates May 1, 2010, as ‘Silver Star Service Banner Day’ and calls upon the people of the United States to observe the day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities."
On April 29th, 2011 the President of the United States
Barack Obama issued this statement: "When our men and women in uniform return from deployment, it is our moral obligation and great honor to serve them as well as they served us. Our debt of gratitude extends to their families and friends, who embody the same qualities of bravery, sacrifice and duty exhibited by their loved ones. On Silver Star Service Banner Day, we recommit to carring for those who return to us wounded or ill, and we remain humbled by the heroic contributions they have made to our Nation."
Like many organizations, the Silver Star Families of America has a Challenge Coin
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
of America. The organization was founded in 2004 by Steve and Diana Newton with the assistance of Joseph and Sharon Newton and the entire Newton family. It is not related to the military decoration
Awards and decorations of the United States military
Awards and decorations of the United States Military are military decorations which recognize service and personal accomplishments while a member of the United States armed forces...
designated the Silver Star
Silver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
.
Historical background
The tradition of a service banner with a blue star covered with silver threads to represent wounded service personnel began in 1917 or 1918 following the suggestion of Women’s Committee of the Council of National Defenses, but faded from use sometime between World War I and World War II. When the use of Blue and Gold Star Service Banners was formally adopted into the United States Code and made official, the tradition of the Silver Star Banner was overlooked.The Department of Defense, given the authority to govern the use of the service banners, concluded that existing Blue Star Service Banner or Gold Star Service Banners and Flags could not be altered. A new Silver Star Service Flag and Banner were designed and were quickly accepted widely used throughout the United States.
The Silver Star Service Flag/Banner are trademarked. The name "Silver Star Service Banner" is TM.
The actual Silver Star Service Banner is 8.5" x 14."
Footnote to service banner history: there is also a "War Mothers" Flag that was first flown over the capitol on Veterans Day in 1926. This Flag is still flown every year on Veterans Day
Veterans Day
Veterans Day, formerly Armistice Day, is an annual United States holiday honoring military veterans. It is a federal holiday that is observed on November 11. It coincides with other holidays such as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day, which are celebrated in other parts of the world and also mark...
starting at 11 minutes after 11 o'clock to sundown.
Usage
The Silver Star Service Flag and Banner are symbols to remind Americansof the sacrifice made for them by so many.
The Silver Star Service Banner is reserved for those who have
been wounded, contracted a serious illness or injury in a war
zone.
The Silver Star Service Flag may be flown by anyone as a symbols of
remembrance and honor.
It may be flown during war or peace time.
If flown with the United States Flag, the Silver Star Service Flag must be lower and/or of a smaller
size than the United States Flag.
Disposal methods are the same as those of the United States Flag.
Qualifications for receiving the Silver Star Service Banner are located here:
Note: The grommets from a properly disposed of Flag can be cleaned and given as recognition for service.
Silver Star Service Banner Day
It was also believed that there should be a day set aside to remember the sacrifices of the wounded and ill: So the SSFOA petitioned the states to make May 1 Silver Star Service Banner Day.To date, 50 states, Guam, Saipan
Saipan
Saipan is the largest island of the United States Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands , a chain of 15 tropical islands belonging to the Marianas archipelago in the western Pacific Ocean with a total area of . The 2000 census population was 62,392...
, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Chickasaw Nation
Chickasaw Nation
The Chickasaw Nation is a federally recognized Native American nation, located in Oklahoma. They are one of the members of the Five Civilized Tribes. The Five Civilized Tribes were differentiated from other Indian reservations in that they had semi-autonomous constitutional governments and...
and the District of Columbia has issued proclamations recognizing the Silver Star Families of America and Silver Star Service Banner Day. Over 2,900 cities and counties have also signed on.
The State of Missouri has made the day into law.
Silver Star Service Banner Day is now in the United States Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
.
On April 21, 2010, the United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
passed H Res. 855, a stand alone resolution, making the SSFOA Silver Star Service Banner official and making May 1 Silver Star Service Banner Day.
"Resolved, That the House of Representatives supports the designation of ‘Silver Star Service Banner Day’ and calls upon the people of the United States to observe the day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities." .
On May 19, 2010 the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
followed suit and approved Senate Resolution 534 and it was sent to the President of the United States
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
.
"Resolved, That the Senate designates May 1, 2010, as ‘Silver Star Service Banner Day’ and calls upon the people of the United States to observe the day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities."
On April 29th, 2011 the President of the United States
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
Barack Obama issued this statement: "When our men and women in uniform return from deployment, it is our moral obligation and great honor to serve them as well as they served us. Our debt of gratitude extends to their families and friends, who embody the same qualities of bravery, sacrifice and duty exhibited by their loved ones. On Silver Star Service Banner Day, we recommit to carring for those who return to us wounded or ill, and we remain humbled by the heroic contributions they have made to our Nation."
Like many organizations, the Silver Star Families of America has a Challenge Coin
Challenge coin
A challenge coin is a small coin or medallion , bearing an organization’s insignia or emblem and carried by the organization’s members. They are given to prove membership when challenged and to enhance morale. In addition, they are also collected by service members.- Origins of the challenge coin...
.