The History Center on Main Street


61 North Main Street, Mansfield, Pennsylvania 16933

Commemorative Cemetery Insignia


Flagholders & other commemorative insignia found in cemeteries

Commemorative Plaques & Flagholders
 of Military and Organizations

Service Star Legion

 

Flagholder Introduction and Table of Contents
Warning on Sale of Cemetery Memorabilia

World War Mothers Gold Star Mothers, Inc. Gold Star Mothers Web Site

 This flagholder was found in Erie County PA by Bill Klauk. The following notes are from site guests who help track these down. Many thanks to Russ and Dick for helping identify it.

Joyce,

http://www.bcpl.net/~etowner/ww1_2.html
Towards the bottom of this site about Fort McHenry in World War I is: While the President spoke a wreath of white carnations and red roses, with flags of the War Mothers and Service Star Legion, lay against the monument's base, and the replica of the old flag of Fort McHenry, hauled to the top of the pole by Major
Herman Reiss, a veteran of the fort's garrison, flapped gently in the harbor breeze.

and this http://www.lib.utah.edu/spc/photo/p304/p304.html sort of explains it all: The Service Star Legion was a woman's organization dedicated to helping those families with family members serving in the United States armed forces. It is the source of the famous Blue Star and Gold Star mothers of World War II and was a driving force behind the creation of Memory Grove in Salt Lake City. Manuscript materials are available in MS 222.

This is an excerpt from MS 222: http://www.lib.utah.edu/spc/mss/ms222/222.html
The Service Star Legion was organized in Baltimore, Maryland in 1919. In Utah, the original group was known as the War Mothers (organized 1918) that affiliated with the Service Star Legion in 1920. The group's purpose was to bring comfort and aid to servicemen and their families, and to support the U. S. government. They pursued civic projects, such as assistance with veterans hospitals.

Since it was found in PA there is an active Service Star Legion in Lawrence County PA (New Castle) POCs in this site: http://www.lawrencecounty.com/ChamberCommerce/cluborg.html
 NEW CASTLE CHAPTER SERVICE STAR LEGION #176

Russ
Subj:  Service Star Legion
Date: 07/31/2000 4:16:30 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From: rjm001@epix.net (Dick McCracken)
To: JoyceTice@aol.com (JoyceTice)

Joyce,

The Service Star Legion was a woman's organization as explained below. Apparently it no longer exists.  From the amount of material available at the Univ. of Utah, I would suspect that it originated and/or was headquartered there.  There are 10 photos available at the following:

<http://www.lib.utah.edu/spc/photo/p304/p304.html>

Service Star Legion Collection
P0304
Collection Contains: 10 prints (1940-1970)

The Service Star Legion was a woman's organization dedicated to helping those families with family members serving in the United States armed forces. It is the source of the famous Blue Star and Gold Star mothers of World War II and was a driving force behind the creation of Memory Grove in Salt Lake City. Manuscript materials are available in MS 222.

---------------------------------
Service Star Legion, Salt Lake County Chapter Papers (Ms 222)

University of Utah Marriott Library, Manuscripts Division

The Service Star Legion, Salt Lake County Chapter Papers (1923-1975) holds material regarding the Salt Lake County Chapter, the Utah Division, and the national organization. Included are annual rosters for the Salt Lake County Chapter, a 1951 handbook, and three convention programs from the 1940s. Also present are histories of projects and programs. Papers from the Utah Division include a constitution, by-laws, articles of incorporation, and convention programs and minutes. There are also two programs from the Utah-Wyoming Division from the early 1930s. A constitution and convention programs for the national
organization are included, as are brief histories of the organization, copies of the national magazine, The Service Star, and an  autobiography by Cora Baker, a national charter member. News clippings from 1923 to 1968 provide information about the activities and people associated with the Service Star Legion. Two scrapbooks also hold news clippings, as well as photographs, reports and other items. The Service Star Legion was organized in Baltimore, Maryland in 1919. In Utah, the original group was known as the War Mothers (organized 1918) that affiliated with the Service Star Legion in 1920. The group's purpose was to bring
comfort and aid to servicemen and their families, and to support the U.S. government. They pursued civic projects, such as assistance with veterans hospitals. The Salt Lake County Chapter, beginning in 1926, improved and supported Memory Grove Park. The organization planted trees honoring Utah's war dead and Memorial House is dedicated to their memory. A register is available.
------------------
Note:

Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc. has a membership less than 2,000
American Gold Star Mothers , Inc. has a membership of approx. 2,000

See here for general information on service organizations recognized the the U.S. Dept of Veterans Affairs:

<http://www.va.gov/vso/default.asp>

Dick

I invite you to visit our site
www.bluestarmothers.org

I think your site is a wonderful and different part of history

Susan Naill
First Vice President
Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc.

Introduction on Flagholder Section Warning on Sale of Cemetery Memorabilia Obtaining Present Day Flagholders