SABATTUS — Nine local families were recently presented with Blue Star Service Banners at a ceremony at the Harry J. Conway Post 135, American Legion.

The banner is presented to families with children serving in the U.S. military. The families also received American Legion certificates of recognition for their serving family member.

The banner was designed and patented in 1917 by World War I U.S. Army Capt. Robert L. Queissner of the 5th Ohio Infantry, who had two sons serving on the front line. It quickly became the unofficial symbol of a child in the service.

During World War II, the Department of War issued specifications on the manufacture of the flag as well as guidelines indicating when and by whom the flag could be flown or the service lapel button could be worn.

The banner typically displayed in windows is an 8½-by-14-inch white field with a blue star sewn onto a red banner. The size may vary, but should be in proportion to the size of the U.S. flag.

Today the banners are displayed by families who have a loved one serving in the armed forces, including the National Guard and Reserves.

The blue star represents one family member serving in the armed forces. A banner can have up to five stars, signifying that five members of that family are currently in military uniform on active duty.

If the individual symbolized is killed or dies while serving, the star representing that individual will have a smaller gold star superimposed on it so that the blue forms a border.

Blue Star Mothers and Gold Star Mothers organizations were established during World War II and remain active.