Politics & Government
Parents Show Pride With Blue Star Banners
Palatine Township awards first banners that signify military service.
The board honored five families with its innaugral Presentation, Monday night.
The Blue Star program began in World War I. Families of military members are given a banner with a blue star to hang in their window or door to signify that they have a family member in active military duty.
Township Clerk Lisa Moran, who championed the Palatine Township program, wanted residents to know the importance of the program. After Moran investigated the program, Palatine Township partnered with , which purchases the banners for each month's honorees.
"I am really excited," Moran said. "I wanted a program that the Township could help military families. And this does just that."
Families receiving Blue Star Banners: David and Barbara Bradley of Palatine, whose son Christopher is in the Marines; Karen and Mike Detloff of Palatine, whose son James is in the Army; Jim and Kelly Michie, whose son Brian is in the Air Force; Jan and Steve MacKay of Palatine, whose son Zach Olson is in the Army; and Jennifer Warkenthien of Rolling Meadows whose son Dustin is in the Air Force. All received Blue Star banners from Moran, Palatine Mayor Jim Schwanz and Rolling Meadows Mayor Tom Rooney.
"Our son is doing his job," Barbara Bradley said. "He doesn't want anything special for him. But as parents, it is a big deal for us. We are proud of him and what he is doing."
Jan MacKay knew of the Blue Star program and was about to purchase her own flag when she found out about the Palatine program.
"I spoke to Barb (Bradley) and she told me about the program," Jan MacKay said. "It is great that people know about it.
"I am so proud of my son. I can't wait to hang it in my window."
MacKay also passed on the program to Julie and Ken Wahl, whose son Nick is in military service. The Wahl's will receive their blue star flag prior to the July meeting of the Palatine Township board.
Joyce Carrasco, who founded the Greater Chicago Area Blue Star program and helped create the Palatine program with Moran, was excited with Palatine Township's inclusion in the program.
"It is great Palatine Township is starting this program," Carrasco said. "This should help us move this program to other townships."
For more information or to complete an application for a Blue Star banner, go to the Palatine Township Blue Star Banner program.
