By Mary Drier
Staff Writer
LANSING — State Representative Terry Brown (D-Pigeon) submitted a bill that would designate each Feb. 2 as “Blue Star Mothers Day” in Michigan.
The Blue Star Mothers of America was founded on that day in 1942 in Flint during World War II.
“The mothers whose children put themselves in harm’s way for our country bear a unique burden, and they still do so much for other military families and returning veterans,’ Brown said. “It is only right that we recognize their efforts and their sacrifice. I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting this bill.”
The legislation, House Bill 5206, has been referred to the House Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs.
The blue star evolved from the “Service Flag,” which was the official banner authorized by the Department of Defense families to display who had a loved one serving in the Armed Forces during any period when the US. was involved in war or hostilities.
The Service flag, which is also called and became better known as the Blue Star Flag, was designed and patented by World War I Army Captain Robert L. Queisser of the 5th Ohio Infantry who had two sons serving on the front line. That flag style became the unofficial symbol of a child in service.
From that in 1918, President Woodrow Wilson approved the Women’s Committee of the Council of National Defenses suggestion that mothers who had lost a child serving in the war wear a gold gilt star on the traditional black mourning arm band. This led to the tradition of covering the blue star with a gold star on the Service flag to indicate that the service member has died.
Mary Drier is a staff writer for the Tuscola County Advertiser. She can be reached at drier@tcadvertiser.com.