Stars in the window, Stars in combat

[darrels joy]

Stars in the window, Stars in combat
By PHILIP FEROLITO
YAKIMA HERALD-REPUBLIC

A blue star sewn on a red, 10-by-12-inch cloth with white fringe hangs in the front window of the Valdez home in Wapato.

It's a Blue Star Service Banner, a symbol showing the Valdez family has a loved one serving in combat. A tradition begun in 1917, the banners are making a comeback.

The Valdez's 24-year-old son, Steve, a Marine reservist with Bravo Company 4th Tank Battalion out of Yakima, was deployed in January to Iraq, where he's helping guard convoys in Fallujah.

He was recently promoted to sergeant, said his father, Santos Valdez.

"I mean, we're proud of him," said Valdez, who is Wapato's fire chief.

The banner has hung in the Valdez home since December, when it was given to Santos and his wife, Mary, at the American Legion Club in Wapato during a sendoff dinner for Steve.

"To me ... it is letting everyone know that we have someone active in the military," Valdez said.

Families with a member serving in the armed forces will be able to receive a Blue Star Service Banner during a daylong reception at the American Legion Post No. 50 in Toppenish.

Families who have lost someone in military service will receive a Gold Star Service Banner, said post commander Nick Romero.

The post will have about 30 Blue Star banners on hand and five Gold Star banners.

Originally, the Gold Star banner went only to mothers. But Romero will give one to anyone who has lost an immediate family member in combat.

"They lost a loved one, too," Romero said. "If they want to come down and receive one, I'll be glad to give them one."

Other American Legion posts across the nation are undertaking similar events, but the Toppenish post is the only one in the Yakima Valley planning such a gathering today.

"Next year if the war is going on, we'll probably do it again," Romero said.

Meanwhile, the Valdezes are praying for their son's safe return.

"We're just waiting till he comes back," Santos Valez said. "Typically, he calls every day, and when he doesn't our concerns go up a little bit."

The Blue Star Service Banner ? the unofficial symbol of having a child serving in the armed forces ? was designed and patented in 1917 by a World War I Army captain who had two sons serving on the front lines.


Blue Star Reception

Families with members serving in the armed forces can pick up a Blue Star Service Banner today at American Legion Post No. 50 in Toppenish, 13 W. First Ave.

The banners will be given away from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. during a reception. Food and beverages will also be available.

For more information, contact the Toppenish post at (509) 865-5470.

GORDON KING/Yakima Herald-Republic
Mary and Santos Valdez's son, Steve, is a Marine sergeant serving with Bravo Company in Fallujah, Iraq. Before he shipped out earlier this year, the couple bought a Blue Star banner, left, and hung it in the front window of their Wapato home. Today, people with loved ones serving overseas can pick up their own banner at the Toppenish American Legion.

[Jerry D]

I for one am glad to see this program being supported again