May 1st is Silver Star Service Banner Day and Loyalty Day
Both of these events are important in showing pride for our country's freedom, our freedom, and for those who gave it to us. Loyalty Day is a day to show our patriotism, a day to show that we are loyal to our country and are not afraid to show it. It is a day to display the American spirit.
Silver Star Service Banner Day
The tradition of the Silver Star on a banner started in 1917. As a wounded service member returned home the blue star on the "Sons In Service Flag" was covered with silver thread. This practice continued through the Korean War and then faded away. It is time for the banner's silver star to return, it is time for the wounded and ill veterans to know they are not forgotten. We have new technology, lives have been saved, some of those lives may have been lost in past wars, but they are still here, they are still with us.
The Silver Star Families of America organization has brought back the tradition by presenting banners to not only those wounded with visible wounds, but also those with invisible wounds, illnesses caused from their war time experience, and those dying because of their wounds of war. We need to remember those that suffer with brain injuries, post traumatic stress, Agent Orange, Gulf War Syndrome, depleted uranium, and other such illnesses. They suffer with their own "wounds" of war and may suffer the rest of their lives. Let us not forget them, we cannot forget them.
The banner may be seen hanging in a window or a Silver Star Flag flying in the breeze, and when someone sees it they remember the sacrifices made by so many of our veterans. Today we honor those veterans, it doesn't matter what branch of service or what war they served. No specific medals are needed to receive a banner, if wounded, or have contracted illnesses while fighting for our country you earned the right to receive one.
The Silver Star Service Banner and Flag is the accepted symbol at numerous military, VA hospitals, and related facilities. They fly throughout our country and abroad in honor of our wounded and ill on this Silver Star Service Banner Day. April 21, 2010 the United States House of Representatives recognized the Silver Star Families of America's Silver Star Service Banner and has proclaimed every May 1st Silver Star Service Banner Day.
If you know of a wounded war veteran, that does not have a Silver Star Banner or you wish to learn more about the Silver Star Banner go to http://www.silverstarfamilies.org
