How to Make a Blue Star Service Banner
During World War I, an Army general with two sons serving in the military designed a banner to be hung in the front window of his home with stars designating his sons and their service to the country. This idea was adopted by the Army during WWII as a way for families to show pride in their family members who were serving in the military during war time. After Sept. 11, 2001, the practice is gaining popularity again, and families are hanging Blue Star Service Banners in their front windows.
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Things You'll Need
- Blue felt
- Red felt
- White felt
- Gold felt
- 11-inch inch dowel
- Hot glue gun
- Hot glue sticks
- Gold cord
- Scissors
- Star-shaped cookie cutter
Instructions
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Making a Blue Star Service Banner
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1
The official size of the banner, according to the Army, is 8.5 inches by 14 inches, but a banner can be made in any size as long as it follows the same proportions as the U.S. flag. Cut the white felt to the size of the entire banner, with an additional two inches on the top edge for the dowel pocket. The red felt is cut the same size as the white felt, not including the two extra inches, then the center is cut out, forming a frame about 1/2 inch on each side. The blue felt is cut into star shapes using the cookie cutter as a template. The gold felt is cut into star shapes about 1/2 inch smaller than the blue stars.
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2
Fold over the top edge of the white felt to form a pocket for the dowel to slide through. Using the hot glue gun, run a bead of glue along the edge of the folded over felt, gluing it to the back of the banner. Slide the dowel through the pocket, and tie the gold cord around the two ends, forming a hanger for the banner.
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3
Glue the red frame border onto the white background, creating a framed white field. Use the hot glue and tack down the corners of the frame, then run a bead of glue under the edge of the frame for the entire length and width, about 1/2 inch inside all edges of the red frame.
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4
Using one blue star for each member of the immediate family that is serving in the military, glue the stars on the white field. The stars should be in a row horizontally or vertically, and they should all have one point facing up. They need to be lined up evenly, not just glued randomly on the white felt. This is according to specifications of the Army. Glue up to six stars on each banner, starting in the center and working out to the sides or up to the top and down to the bottom.
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5
The gold stars are for fallen soldiers. If a family member is killed in the line of duty, a smaller gold star is glued in the center of the blue star, showing a blue border. The banner is then hung in the front window of the family home, showing the world how much the family supports and loves the family members who are serving our country in the military.
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Tips & Warnings
Create banners as gifts for friends or relatives who have immediate family members serving in the military as a way to show support and pride. Banners can also be purchased from military-approved vendors.
The banners should only be displayed when the United States is participating in a war somewhere in the world, not during peace time.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Graphic created by author: Janie Sullivan
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Comments
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bspeck2
Nov 17, 2009
Anyone can make their own Blue Star Banner, although, according to United States Code, Title 36, Section 901; one must obtain a Certificate of Authority. Any person may apply to the Secretary for a license to manufacture and sell the approved service flag, or the approved service lapel button, or both. Any person that manufactures a service flag or service lapel button without having first obtained a license, or otherwise violates this section is liable to the United States Government for a civil penalty of not more than $1,000. Note: The way the law and current regulations are currently phrased, one must obtain a license to manufacture service flags, even if you plan to make the flag for your own use only. One obtains a license by stating, in writing, that they guarantee not to deviate in the manufacture and/or sale of the service flag as described in regulations (DOD 1348.33-M)....
