Every Blue Star Flag has a story.  That is why we dedicated this section for users to share their stories with others. If you would like to submit your story, simply click here and we will feature it on this page.

All in the Family

by: Donna Cronenworth
This is such a great service you are doing. I would be so proud to show this flag in my window. My son has just returned from his first tour in Iraq. He is the third generation of Cronenworth’s that has served our country. His grandfather was in WWII and was shot in the stomach during his tour. He passed away before he ever got to meet his grandson. Charlie’s dad served three tours in Iraq. He is so proud of what his dad did. His dad was awarded the Silver Star and CIB for what he did in Iraq. Now Charlie is following in his dad’s and grandfathers foot steps. This was a difficult tour for my son as it is for all people who are serving their country. Charlie was awarded his CIB like his dad during his tour. I am so proud of all of the guys and women who are currently serving their country. Read full story >

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Who Gets the Flag?

by: CWO3 Kerstin Elledge

I didn’t know who to begin with – for a flag to be sent to, here is why…

Dad, Robert Allen = AF 20 yrs, retiring as a MSgt, served in Vietnam.

Son, Krisjand Rothweiler = Army Capt 7 years, 2 tours Iraq and now in AF. His wife, Patricia, of 2 years (Jul08, no military background) has spent more time apart than with him and continues to support him enthusiatically. While on TDY, visited her in Germany, where they are stationed, and watched her as she filled box after box (never one not sitting on the table to be stuffed) and send them away. Couldn’t ask for a better daughter (in-law) , she has assimilated herself totally into our military life, and I am extremely proud of her. Read full story>

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Special Delivery

On April 7, 2010, MyBlueStarFlag.com received a request for a Blue Star Flag from Maj. John L. Gardner (USMC). His story touched all of us – we knew we needed to find a way to get a flag from our office in Kansas City to his family in Virgnia. Our very own Christine Shelly, executive vice president of marketing & communications at Grantham University, paid a visit to the Gardner home and personally delivered the flag, making it well worth the trip. Read full story>

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Still Hanging Strong

by: MSG Mitchell, Afghanistan, 2010

Actually, my story is not a very inspiring one and the event that happened to my wife makes me believe she is not the only spouse it’s ever happened to.

The Blue Star Flag or Banner displays the honor of having a loved one in the household sacrificing his or her life to protect all who sees it being displayed in a window or flying in the breeze on the front porch. It also displays sadly to say a sign to others that the man of the house is away.

I was deployed to Afghanistan in 2003 and my wife was a very proud recipient of the Blue Star Banner and displayed it proudly in our front living room window. Half way through my deployment my wife decided that having the extra money coming in was an excellent opportunity to put a new roof on the house. Read full story>

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In Loving Memory: LCPL Eric Levi Ward

My son became a fallen Marine on Feb 21, 2010. While we were at Dover Air Force for the dignified transfer, the local media went to our home and focused in on the Blue Star Flag hanging in our window. Read full story and submit comments >

Click here to download PDF >

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Grantham University Teams Up with C.O.R.P.S. and Donates Fifty Blue Star Flags To Military Personnel and Families

(September 24, 2009) In recent news, Grantham University, which manages the Blue Star Flag Program and MyBlueStarFlag.com site recently donated fifty (50) Blue Star Flags to Chaplains Organized Response to PTSD affecting Service Personnel (C.O.R.P.S.). C.O.R.P.S. is an inter faith-based initiative of care givers dedicated to helping soldiers and their families through its Blue Star Flag banner outreach program. They provide assistance to service men and women with counseling, employment, spirtual guidance and other needs and services. Read full article >

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A Mother’s Story

I am a proud Mother of an Army National Guard Soldier. My story begins on Sept. 11, 2008 when I recieved a phone call from my then 19 yr old son to tell me he joined the service. My reply I think shocked him as I said “what a noble, unselfish thing to do, I am very proud of you” while shear terror ran through my veins.  Read full story > 

 

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A Letter to Remember

Our daughter has been deployed to Iraq for 15 months with the National Guard San Antonio, Texas. We now raising our 15 month old granddaughter. She truly misses her mom very much and we try to let her talk to her via internet as much as the time difference will allow. We are very proud of her and all the men and women who are over there defending our freedom.  Read full story >

 

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A Father’s Story: The Dynamic Duo

My story may not be all that interesting.  I recently retired from the Colorado Air National Guard after 25+ years of service.  I started later in age with my military career; however, I convinced my son to join our Wing, before graduating high school, to utilize the GI Bill and Tuition Assistance for college, which he did.  He served ten years as enlisted Crew Chief on F-16s after Desert Storm, and after college graduation, received a officer’s commission as a Navigator for active-duty Air Force.  Although my career was mostly as a monthly Traditional Guard member, it picked up substantially after 9-11, and I subsequently volunteered for three deployments, each to different countries in the Middle East, for Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom.  Read full story

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In the Family

If I had to sum up my family in one word I might have to choose “Army” because it is what defines us. Since 27 June 1996 we have had a minimum of two family members on active duty and will continue to for a minimum of three more years. Between me, my Dad, my sister and brother we have seven combat deployments, one tour in Vietnam, one in Desert Storm and five in Iraq. Next year I hope to be able to add Afghanistan to the list, Lord willing. Read full story

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The Waiting Game

Submitted by: Cynthia M Yarde-Kiernan
Deployment from an Army Wife’s Perspective


The Army calls again, and we sit alone, waiting…for a phone call, IM, email, letter…the last 20 years have seen a great jump in the communication availability for soldiers and their families, but we here at home still wait…for something, anything, from our loved one. I remember the days when a phone call was maybe once in three months, and mail was so slow, I got a handful even after my soldier returned. Nothing like the way we have it today…and I am grateful for the upgrades.

While we wait for communication, there are a number of other waiting games we play…waiting for the day that just began to end, and for the night to finally be over, and for sleep to come…so we can start waiting all over again when we wake up (if we even found the comfort of sleep to begin with).

We wait for the news to tell us what is going on, and we wait for them to let us know there have been no casualties…even though those of us who have done this before know we will know before the news knows…it is still a waiting game that occurs in our minds, whether we like to admit it or not. Read full story

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Father & Son

Submitted by: Rachelle Crumbaker

My husband served in the Army from ’85-’93. Fifteen years later he decided to go talk to a recruiter. They were so excited to have a prior servicemember want back in. Our eldest son had spoken to me and was trying to decide whether to go Marines or Army. Read full story