Gold Star Families Memorial

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The Monuments provide a place of permanence for Gold Star Families to gather and utilize as they see fit. These Monuments belong to them and their fallen Loved Ones. They are intended to achieve the following goals:

Establish and provide a space the Gold Star Families can call their own in honor of their Loved Ones and their family
Demonstrate to Gold Star Families that their community cares for them and appreciates their sacrifice while also honoring the ultimate sacrifice of their Loved Ones
Establish and strengthen local Gold Star Family communities through Gold Star Family outreach events associated with each monument location
Educate the general public about Gold Star Families’ enduring sacrifices and the ultimate sacrifice made by their Loved Ones

Gold Star Families Memorial Monuments are a two-sided tribute made of black granite. One side bears the words: Gold Star Families Memorial Monument, a tribute to Gold Star Families and Relatives who sacrificed a Loved One for our Freedom. On the other side of the monument, there are scenes etched on each of the four panels: Homeland, Family, Patriot and Sacrifice. At the center of this tribute, is a silhouette of a saluting service member which represents the Legacy of the Loved Ones who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our Freedom. Together, these features tell each community's unique story based upon the Pillars of the Foundation.

The Foundation developed the mission and goals for honoring Gold Star Families based on five philosophical pillars representing Homeland, Family, Patriot, Sacrifice and Legacy. These pillars not only inspired the creation and concept of the Gold Star Families Memorial Monument, but are also the basis of our Outreach and Education programming. The meaning and additional insights for each of these pillars are:

Homeland - This pillar represents where we live. It is the people, it is our family, it is our Freedom.
Family - This pillar represents the uniquely brave spirit of our Military families who provide support to their Loved Ones serving in our Armed Forces.
Patriot - This pillar represents those who vigorously support and defend our great nation through selfless service in our Armed Forces.
Sacrifice - This pillar represents the sacrifices made by our Gold Star Families.
Legacy - This pillar represents the legacy of the Loved Ones who paid the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the Armed Forces of the United States of America.

Blue Star Banner

The tradition continues

It’s an American tradition to display a Blue Star Service Banner in the window of a home when a
loved one is proudly serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. As Americans support troops deployed
overseas in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, , the Blue Star Service
Banner is a reminder that war touches every neighborhood.

The American Legion also offers Blue Star Banner Corporate Flags for corporations and
government organizations wanting to show support for employees actively serving in the
National Guard or reserve.

Blue Star Service Banners Fact Sheet

The Blue Star Service Banner was designed and patented in 1917 by World War I Army Capt.
Robert L. Queisser of the 5th Ohio Infantry. Queisser’s two sons served on the front line. His
banner quickly became the unofficial symbol for parents with a child in active military service.
On Sept. 24, 1917, an Ohio congressman read the following into the Congressional Record: “The
mayor of Cleveland, the Chamber of Commerce and the governor of Ohio have adopted this
service flag. The world should know of those who give so much for liberty. The dearest thing in
all the world to a father and mother: their children.” Blue Star Mothers and Gold Star Mothers
organizations were established during World War I and remain active today.

During World War II, the Department of War issued specifications on manufacture of the flag, as
well as guidelines indicating when the service flag could be flown and by whom. Restrictions
were also passed on who can wear the service lapel. The Department of Defense authorized the
service flag and service lapel on Dec. 1, 1967, with DoD Directive 1348.1, which implemented
an act of Congress (U.S. Code 179-182). The Blue Star Service Banner is an 8.5-by-14-inch
white field with one or more blue stars sewn onto a red banner. The size varies but should be in
proportion to the U.S. flag. 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.

Source https://www.legion.org/troops/bluestar

Richard L. Waters

Richard L. Waters entered military service May 9, 1942 and left for Keesler Air Force Base,
Mississippi. Following assignments at Salt Lake City, Utah and Blythe, California and
promotion to Staff Sergeant, he lost his life in a bomber crash at Dalhart, Texas, the Saturday
night of June 5, 1943. He died at the age of 34.

Richard L Waters was named as the most outstanding student of his 1932 graduating class from
Jacksonville State Teachers College. Waters was presented $25 in gold by the Anniston Star as
the student who contributed the most in acts of helpfulness to the welfare of others and the
institution. Popular and active in athletics, Waters, in his senior year, was President of his class
and Business Manager of the Teacola, the Student Yearbook. He had been class Vice President
in his junior year and other accomplishments included Vice President of the Morgan Library
Society, Vice President of the “J” Club, member of the basketball and baseball teams, and
established a record for being named Captain of his football team for three years. Additionally,
he was 1SG of the local National Guard unit, Company “H” 167 th Infantry.

He came to Cedar Springs school as Principal and coach in 1940. Following six years of
coaching at Ranburne High in Randolph County and a previous assignment at the Dar Smith
School on Sand Mountain. He left for service at the close of the 1942 term.
A native of Cherokee County, Waters came to Jacksonville at an early age and resided with his
family all those years at their home on North Pelham Road. He is buried at Jacksonville City
Cemetery.

The sacrifice of Waters’ life, in a war defending the rights of all American school students, is
perpetuated by Jacksonville American Legion members in the name of their group – The Richard
L. Waters American Legion Post 57