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Pike Co. Post 197, The American Legion, Department of Georgia honored two families with family members serving in the military. A Blue Star Certificate of Honor was presented to Craig and Deeanna Dowdle Cardell, whose son Specialist Colby Cardell, is in the Army, serving in Afghanistan and a Blue Star Certificate of Honor was presented to Jimmie and Tracy Vincent, whose son Sergeant James Lucas Vincent, is in the Marines, based at Camp Lejune NC.
"As a symbol of Pike County Post 197's Commitment to our men and women serving in our Armed Forces and their families, it is a distinct honor to present these families with a Pike Co Post 197 Certificate of Honor and a Blue Star Pin," said Pike Post 197 Commander Don Bailey. Blue Star bumper stickers and and a Veterans Administration Handbook were also given to families.
If you are a Blue Star Family member and would like your family member to be recognized for their service please contact Pike Co. Post 197, The American Legion, Department of Georgia at 770-468-8726 or email pikepost197@hotmail.com.
History:
The Blue Star Service Banner was designed and patented in 1917 by World War I Army Capt. Robert L. Queisser of the 5th Ohio Infantry. Queisser’s two sons served on the front line. His banner quickly became the unofficial symbol for parents with a child in active military 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 has adopted this service flag. The world should know of those who give so much for liberty. The dearest thing in the entire world to a father and mother: their children.” Blue Star Mothers organizations were established during World War I and remain active today.
During World War II, the Department of War issued specifications on manufacture of the flag, as well as guidelines indicating when the service flag could be flown and by whom. Restrictions were also passed on who can wear the service lapel. The Department of Defense authorized the service flag and service lapel on Dec. 1, 1967, with DoD Directive 1348.1, which implemented an act of Congress (U.S. Code 179-182).
Today, families display these banners/pins when they have a loved one serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. The blue star represents one family member serving, and a banner can have up to five stars.
Blue Star Service Banners were widely used during both world wars, but were not embraced during the Korean or Vietnam wars with the same enthusiasm. The American Legion rekindled that spirit of pride in our military men and women following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks by providing banner/pins to military families across the nation.
A Blue Star Certificate of Honor was presented to Craig and Deeanna Dowdle Cardell, whose son Specialist Colby Cardell, is in the Army, serving in Afghanistan. Photo left to right, Pike Post 197 Commander Don Bailey, Deanna Cardell, and Pike Post 197 Chaplain Ben Maxedon.
A Blue Star Certificate of Honor was presented to Jimmie and Tracy Vincent, whose son Sergeant James Lucas Vincent, is in the Marines, based at Camp Lejune NC. Photo left to right, Pike Post 197 Commander Don Bailey, Tracy Vincent, Peggy Payton-Wife of Pike Post 197 Senior Vice Billy Payton, and Pike Post 197 Chaplain Ben Maxedon.
