I’ve seen conflicting information on the definition of a Blue Star family. Many sources vaguely state any family with an active duty service member. Others state only those families with a family member serving in a conflict. I copied examples of various definitions below
Thoughts?
Seems conflicting…..
From Veteran.com
What Makes A Blue Star Family?
Not every military family is a Blue Star family. That is because those authorized to fly the Blue Star flag are those who have immediate family members who serve in the military during a time of conflict.
Subsequently, a Gold Star family is defined as the immediate family of a military member who has died while serving during a time of military conflict.
From legion.org
Today, families display these banners when they have a loved one serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. The blue star represents one family member serving, and a banner can have up to five stars. If the individual is killed or dies, a smaller golden star is placed over it. Gold stars are placed above the blue stars or to the top right of the flag, in the event a flag represents multiple servicemembers.
Blue Star Service Banners were widely used during both world wars, but were not embraced during the Korean or Vietnam wars with the same enthusiasm. The American Legion rekindled that spirit of pride in our military men and women following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks by providing banners to military families across the nation.
For more information, contact the National Security Office at (202) 263-2987 or
aosei@legion.org.
From wikepedia
A
service flag or
service banner is a
banner that family members of those serving in the
United States Armed Forces can display. The flag or banner is officially defined as a white field with a red border, with a blue star for each family member serving in the Armed Forces of the United States during any period of war or hostilities. A gold star (with a blue edge) represents a family member who died during military operations, including those who died during World War I, World War II, or any subsequent period of armed hostilities in which the United States was engaged before July 1, 1958, and those who lost or lose their lives after June 30, 1958: