QUALIFICATIONS FOR SILVER STAR BANNER
The Silver Star Families of America define wounded as:
Definition of war zone determined by the Department of Defense
Any Armed Forces personnel either currently serving honorably or those who have served honorably from any war, who having served in a war zone has been wounded by enemy action or who have been injured or contracted a serious illness that could be rated at least 10% disabled by the Department of Veterans Affairs. All wounds, injuries or illness must have originated in a war zone. Purple Heart recipients, victims of friendly fire, kids injured in a war zone, those who suffer from PTSD, Agent Orange effects and Gulf War syndrome. The individual eligible to receive the Silver Star Banner would not have to be eligible for the Purple Heart or any other military decoration in order to receive a Silver Star Banner.
The Rules?
Only one as yet. The Golden Rule. We ask that everyone please treat each other with the honor and respect they would wish for themselves. I would hope as your organization grows that this is always your prime rule.
One thing I think a lot of us are tired of is politics. I may be naive, but I think any organization can be run more efficiently if it is based on love of God and love of each other. And NEVER losing sight of the mission, which is to promote, protect, honor and help
our Wounded Heroes.
Steve Newton
Founder
THE
SILVER STAR FAMILIES OF AMERICA
HISTORY AND MISSION
Founded April 11th 2005, and received 501 c 3 status on December 5th 2005.
The Silver Star Families of America is dedicated to supporting and assisting the wounded and their families. Our goal is to recognize the blood sacrifice of our wounded and remember their efforts by honoring them with the Silver Star Banner. We are also advocates for the Wounded and assist in educating their families and the public concerning their plight. Silver Star Families of America touches the lives of our wounded and families nationwide of all branches of service and all wars. The Silver Star Flag and Banner are symbols of remembrance and honor and are for the individual wounded and their families as well as anyone wishing to honor those wounded during combat while honorably serving in the United States Armed Forces. It may be displayed or flown at anytime, not just wartime, and by families as well as the Wounded Hero. It is our wish that all of America never forgets the sacrifice of our service members.
Forty-four states have signed proclamations declaring May 1st as Silver Star Day. States are also giving signature endorsement that establishes our Silver Star Flag and Banner as the permanent official symbol for the wounded. In addition to the Silver Star Banner presentations, SSFOA assists our wounded and families thru programs geared to help the healing process. We extend an invitation to join our online community and become a volunteer as an SSFOA member. Please join by filling out the form at JOIN SSFOA Our wounded are our KIDS who have given and sacrificed more than they ever should have had to do. They do it for you . . . they do it for all of us and we want to give them the thanks and honor they deserve. Help us make a difference. Membership is free. Please JOIN The Silver Star Families of America and be a part of this great mission.
SSFOA has added programs to assist wounded and families. Hear4You, Games for Wounded, Food Cards, Letter Writing Team, Vet Pacs, Coupon Books for Vets, Thank You for Service Certificates, extensive PTSD reources and PTSD Forum. SSFOA is also involved in VA issues and are members of VAVS, and National Veteran Day Committee, VA Poly Trauma Care, and CHALENG for homeless, and participates in Stand downs for Homeless Veterans and National Salute for Hospitalized Veterans.
SSFOA members attend America Supports You summits at the Pentagon yearly, and meets with other troop support organizations, the Dept of Veteran Affairs, and the National Commanders Office of the American Legions.
To date SSFOA has presented over 1000 Silver Star Banners and Certificates, presented numerous Flags, sent Packages to VAs in all 50 states, military hospitals, including Germany and Iraq and sends a Bi-monthly newsletter to members and friends.
SILVER STAR FLAG ®
SILVER STAR BANNER TM
Copyright 2005-2008
All Rights Reserved
Content within this web site is the sole property of
The Silver Star Families of America
"All photos and letters sent to the SSFOA become the property of the organization to be used in any way we deem appropriate."
SSFOA reserves the right to conduct the day to day business of the organization as they deem appropriate. State Coordinators and Reps will be chosen at the discretion of
SSFOA National Headquarters.
SSFOA is an all volunteer 501(c)(3) tax exempt nonprofit public charity organization
Questions/Comments Pertaining To This Web site Contact Us
This original Banner with all three stars was not well received when we began our mission to include a silver star for our wounded. We were left with no alternative other than starting from scratch. Designing a Flag and Banner, having them manufactured, forming a viable organization and advertising and distributing the Banners.It was a daunting task at times. But today the Silver Star Flag for the wounded lives.
"Thank you to the Wisconsin Historical Society"
See full ARTICLE
The use of Silver for wounded started in 1917 and was adopted for use in several states. After many years the Silver Star fell into disuse. In 1918 the Women’s Committee of the Council of National Defenses suggested that mothers who had lost a child in the war wear a gold star on their mourning armband. This led to the tradition of covering the blue star on service flags either with gold, if a service member was killed, or silver if he was wounded. See full ARTICLE
Founders and members considered a “purple” star, “red” star, and even a “white” star. Purple of course, came from the Purple Heart. Red would have signified the blood shed and white would have been for the healing of the wounded.
As you can see we did not just pull “Silver” out of a hat. Many names were considered before we settled on the “Silver Star Shining for Sacrifice.” Every time someone sees the Silver Star Flag, we want them to remember the blood sacrifice made by so many for this great Nation.
Service flags continued to be popular during World War II, and were used throughout the Korean War as well. They fell out of favor during the Vietnam War, but returned to more widespread use during the Iraq conflicts. No National Flag symbol ever materialized for a Wounded Soldier even though there was a Flag for Service, the Blue Star and a Flag for our honored dead, the Gold Star.
That is until
THE SILVER STAR FAMILIES OF AMERICA
was born!
Take a look at the rare picture of a Blue, Silver and Gold Star Flag
The Silver Star Flag is now flying at a medical facility in Iraq,
USO Germany Landsthul/Ramstein, Walter Reed, Bethesda,
Brooke, BALBOA, Ft. Campbell Community Hospital
101st Screaming Eagles, Post 639 America Legion Post
Mt. Vernon Missouri Soldiers Home and several other
VA Hospitals and homes. Former Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld, Lt. General Petraeus, General Jackman, and President Bush also have been presented with the Silver Star Flag.
The Silver Star Flag is recognized as the Flag representing
and honoring our Wounded.
Over a thousand Wounded Heroes have been honored with the Silver Star Banner and Certificate of Appreciation. The Banners are 8.5" X 14 and are suitable for hanging in the window or on the wall
THE SILVER STAR BANNER
THE AFTERMATH OF WAR
AND THE MISSION OF THE SILVER STAR FAMILIES OF AMERICA
The Silver Star Families of America was born to recognize, remember and assist the wounded of our armed forces from all wars. It is our wish that every time someone sees a Silver Star Banner in a window or a Silver Star Flag flying, that they remember the blood shed for this great Nation.
The SSFOA was founded on April 11th 2005 and received its 501 c 3 status on December 5th 2005. We designed and had manufactured the first Banner and Flag made especially for our Wounded.
We honor and remember our wounded primarily by the presentation of Silver Star Banners, certificates and letters to our Wounded or their families. The tradition of the Silver Star for the Wounded dates back to 1917 when people used to sew over a Blue Star with Silver thread to signify a Wounded Soldier.
To date we have distributed over 1000 Banners to the wounded of ALL wars.
The Silver Star Flag is of the same design as the Banner but is 3’ x 5’. To date we have purchased and distributed over 50 Flags for various military and veteran hospitals, nursing homes, V.A. hospitals etc, including combat support hospitals in Iraq.
We also provide care packages to our wounded and various military and V.A. hospitals. We provide a web site where we honor our wounded: www.silverstarfamilies.org and we also provide a Yahoo Board Forum for the families to talk and trade information.
Our mission is to also act as an advocate for the Wounded and to educate the public on the plight of the Wounded.
For many years Silver was used to represent the wounded. We have brought back this tradition with the Silver Star Flag. Please join with us to remember and honor our wounded.
