Blue Star Mothers Club
Encyclopedia
During World War II
, in March 1942, the Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc. organization was formed in the United States
to provide support for mothers who had sons or daughters in active service in the war. The name came from the custom of families of servicemen hanging a banner called a Service Flag
in a window of their homes. The Service Flag had a star for each family member in the military
. Living servicemen were represented by a Blue Star and those who had lost their lives were represented by a Gold Star. Today, membership in the Blue Star Mothers is open to any woman living in America who has a son or daughter in the US Armed Forces, or who has had a son or daughter in the US Armed Forces who has been honorably discharged.
The group holds a congressional charter
under Title 36 of the United States Code
.
, Michigan
, in January 1942, requesting information about children serving in the armed forces. More than 1,000 mothers responded. By March 8, 1942, more than 600 mothers organized the Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc.
That same year, chapters quickly formed in Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, Oregon, Iowa, Washington, Hawaii, Pennsylvania and New York.
The blue star flag was designed and patented by World War I Army Capt. Robert Queissner of the 5th Ohio Infantry, who had two sons serving on the front line. This flag quickly became the unofficial symbol of a child in service.
The Blue Star Mothers’ original goals were to bring their sons home, to ensure they
received the benefits they deserved, help service members' families, help each other and to be there if something happened. Over the years, the goals have broadened to rehabilitation, hospital work, children’s welfare and civil defense.
or who has served in the United States Armed Forces with an honorable discharge. Stepmothers and adoptive mothers are eligible for membership under certain circumstances. Blue Star Dads and others who wish to serve through the BSMoA may join as Associate Members. Associate members do not vote or pay dues.
Blue Star Mothers is made up of local chapters, which are organized into departments. Five members are required to start a local chapter.
Just as when it was founded, the Blue Star Mothers continues to concentrate on providing emotional support to its members, doing volunteer work with veterans in general and veterans’ hospitals in particular, and generally fostering a sense of patriotism and respect for members of the Armed Forces. In addition, local chapters carry out individual projects of their own choosing.
Blue Star Mothers do much more than volunteer in VA hospitals and outreach centers. They work
in physical and emotional rehabilitation, help with medical supplies, transportation, food, clothing and friendship, gratitude and love.
Blue Star Mothers have been active in civil defense since 1942, doing things like finding
food and shelter for people devastated by hurricanes and floods.
Blue Star Mothers do not have a permanent headquarters, so the headquarters travels with the
national president.
There were about 30,000 members during World War II and several thousand during the Korean War and Vietnam War. By July 2006, membership had grown to 164 chapters nationally. California has the most, but Minnesota, Ohio and Oklahoma follow close behind.
As of August 1, 2011, there are over 5,000 members and 225 chapters. The 69th Annual convention of Blue Star Mothers of America in August of 2011 was held in Washington DC.
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, in March 1942, the Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc. organization was formed in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
to provide support for mothers who had sons or daughters in active service in the war. The name came from the custom of families of servicemen hanging a banner called a Service Flag
Service flag
A service flag or service banner in the United States is an official banner that family members of service members in harm's way can display. The flag or banner is defined as a white field with a red border, with a blue star for each family member on active duty. A gold star represents a family...
in a window of their homes. The Service Flag had a star for each family member in the military
Military
A military is an organization authorized by its greater society to use lethal force, usually including use of weapons, in defending its country by combating actual or perceived threats. The military may have additional functions of use to its greater society, such as advancing a political agenda e.g...
. Living servicemen were represented by a Blue Star and those who had lost their lives were represented by a Gold Star. Today, membership in the Blue Star Mothers is open to any woman living in America who has a son or daughter in the US Armed Forces, or who has had a son or daughter in the US Armed Forces who has been honorably discharged.
The group holds a congressional charter
Congressional charter
A congressional charter is a law passed by the United States Congress that states the mission, authority and activities of a group. Congress issued federal charters from 1791 until 1992 under Title 36 of the United States Code....
under Title 36 of the United States Code
Title 36 of the United States Code
Title 36 of the United States Code outlines the role of Patriotic Societies and Observances in the United States Code.*Subtitle I—Patriotic and National Observances and Ceremonies*Subtitle II—Patriotic and National Organizations...
.
Founding of the Blue Star Mothers
Army Capt. George Maines conceived the apples idea for the Blue Star Mothers. He ran a newspaper article in FlintFlint
Flint is a hard, sedimentary cryptocrystalline form of the mineral quartz, categorized as a variety of chert. It occurs chiefly as nodules and masses in sedimentary rocks, such as chalks and limestones. Inside the nodule, flint is usually dark grey, black, green, white, or brown in colour, and...
, Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
, in January 1942, requesting information about children serving in the armed forces. More than 1,000 mothers responded. By March 8, 1942, more than 600 mothers organized the Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc.
That same year, chapters quickly formed in Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, Oregon, Iowa, Washington, Hawaii, Pennsylvania and New York.
The blue star flag was designed and patented by World War I Army Capt. Robert Queissner of the 5th Ohio Infantry, who had two sons serving on the front line. This flag quickly became the unofficial symbol of a child in service.
The Blue Star Mothers’ original goals were to bring their sons home, to ensure they
received the benefits they deserved, help service members' families, help each other and to be there if something happened. Over the years, the goals have broadened to rehabilitation, hospital work, children’s welfare and civil defense.
Blue Star Mothers today
Today, membership in the Blue Star Mothers is open to any woman in America whose child is in the United States Armed ForcesUnited States armed forces
The United States Armed Forces are the military forces of the United States. They consist of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard.The United States has a strong tradition of civilian control of the military...
or who has served in the United States Armed Forces with an honorable discharge. Stepmothers and adoptive mothers are eligible for membership under certain circumstances. Blue Star Dads and others who wish to serve through the BSMoA may join as Associate Members. Associate members do not vote or pay dues.
Blue Star Mothers is made up of local chapters, which are organized into departments. Five members are required to start a local chapter.
Just as when it was founded, the Blue Star Mothers continues to concentrate on providing emotional support to its members, doing volunteer work with veterans in general and veterans’ hospitals in particular, and generally fostering a sense of patriotism and respect for members of the Armed Forces. In addition, local chapters carry out individual projects of their own choosing.
Blue Star Mothers do much more than volunteer in VA hospitals and outreach centers. They work
in physical and emotional rehabilitation, help with medical supplies, transportation, food, clothing and friendship, gratitude and love.
Blue Star Mothers have been active in civil defense since 1942, doing things like finding
food and shelter for people devastated by hurricanes and floods.
Blue Star Mothers do not have a permanent headquarters, so the headquarters travels with the
national president.
There were about 30,000 members during World War II and several thousand during the Korean War and Vietnam War. By July 2006, membership had grown to 164 chapters nationally. California has the most, but Minnesota, Ohio and Oklahoma follow close behind.
As of August 1, 2011, there are over 5,000 members and 225 chapters. The 69th Annual convention of Blue Star Mothers of America in August of 2011 was held in Washington DC.
External links
- U.S. Statutes Incorporating the Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc.
- Blue Star Mothers of Wisconsin Chapter 2
- Grand Valley Blue Star Mothers Colorado Chapter 4
- Lone Star Chapter 6 of DFW Area of Texas
- Connecticut Blue Star Mothers
- "Rim of the World Blue Star Moms" ~ California Chapter 25
- Image of the Blue Star Banner
