Naperville area families with a loved one serving in Active Duty Military, Active Reserve or National Guard were honored on Nov. 17 during a special ceremony to present Blue Star Banners and pins at the Judd Kendall VFW Post.
The afternoon event provided a time to recognize the families “of the brave young men and women who serve in our military and protect the freedom of all people of the United States of America.”
Master of Ceremonies Jim Vahle detailed the history of the Blue Star Banner that first had been presented during World War I in 1917. After much visibility during World War I and World War II to identify homes where families of servicemen and women lived, the Blue Star Flag fell from use during more recent wars until the practice was rekindled following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
The Blue Star Banner, designed and Patented in 1917 by Army Captain R. L. Quessner, has an 8.5 x 14-inch white field with blue star(s), one for each family member serving in the Armed Forces, sewn onto a red banner. Â The Blue Star Banner can hold up to five stars. Families place the banner in a window of their residence to designate the honor of service.
Commander of the American Legion Post 43 Glenn Granat and Past Commander of VFW Post 3873 Charles Vladika presented the Blue Star Banners to families in attendance. In addition, families received a certificate and a lapel pin to show support and honor their loved ones.
Representatives of elected officials gave messages of support to assist in reviving the tradition to remember the men and women who protect this nation’s freedoms.
Veterans organizations make a difference
Sponsored by the Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873 and the American Legion Post 43, this event also provided military families with an opportunity to meet each other and to learn more about the two longstanding national veterans organizations in Naperville that offer a wide variety of programs including job fairs.
Table top  presentations also offered information about  Operation Support Our Troops-America, founded by Deb Rickert in 2003; and Naperville Responds for Our Veterans, founded in 2009, now under the leadership of Pat Bowler.
Vahle recognized the two volunteer community organizations that raise funds to provide special services for active military personnel and veterans. OSOT-America is best known for its fundraising concert, “Rockin’ for the Troops,” held at Cantigny Park in July to help fund sending comfort packages to military serving overseas.
Naperville Responds for Our Veterans hosts its annual fundraiser “Cheers for Our Veterans” in early November to help provide maintenance and home repair services to veterans in need.
In fact, Blue Star families often find comfort joining the nonprofit organizations as a way to share camaraderie and experiences. Â Blue Star family member Jennifer Nelson is an active member of Operation Support Our Troops-America where she helps pack boxes of goodies with special greetings to send to troops serving in harm’s way.
Vahle also recognized Operation Welcome You Home as another resource for veterans’ families.
The special occasion also provided longtime members of the Naperville American Legion an opportunity to welcome new members to the American Legion / VFW Post, said  Past Commander of the DuPage County American Legion Bob Bohr.
Next up is the annual Turkey Raffle fundraiser at the Post, set to begin at 6PM Sat., Nov. 23.
UPDATE, Nov. 24, 2013: Â James Hoch photos from Nov. 23 Turkey Raffle. Happy Thanksgiving!
RELATED STORY WITH PHOTOS IN THE DAILY HERALD / Posted Nov. 18, 2013 in print
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