How to Get Gold Star Flags for Fallen Army Soldiers
Families of soldiers and military personnel killed in action can commemorate their loved ones by requesting a U.S. service flag decorated with a gold star. The flag is normally decorated with blue stars, but a gold star is superimposed to recognize the soldier's death and highlight their loss. Organizations associated with the deceased Armed Forces member can also apply for a gold star service flag. They include churches, schools, colleges, fraternities, sororities and businesses. Available from just a few licensed manufacturers, the flag must be displayed in a certain way, whether flown by relatives or organizations.
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Instructions
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Check whether you qualify as an immediate family member and are allowed to request and display a gold star service flag. The U.S. Department of Defense defines relatives as wife, husband, mother, father, stepmother, stepfather, parent through adoption, foster parents, children, stepchildren, children through adoption, brothers, sisters, half brothers and half sisters.
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Contact the Institute of Heraldry for a list of approved gold star flag makers or view the list on the institute's website and determine which producer best meets your requirements.
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Decide what size of flag you wish to buy and whether you want an indoor or outdoor version. Most companies do not charge parents and spouses of deceased military personnel.
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Order the flag direct from the manufacturer. You will need to provide personal details of the Armed Forces member, explain your relation to them, and give the date and details of their death.
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Request the flag be shipped direct to your home or organization. Alternaitvely, if the flag will be presented to a relative of the deceased by a member of American Gold Star Mother, Inc., then provide the name and address of that person.
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