WHEREAS, The Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc., was founded as a patriotic service organization on February 2, 1942, to unite mothers who had sons or daughters in the United States Armed Forces; and

WHEREAS, The nonpartisan, nonsectarian, nonpolitical, and nonprofit organization was chartered by the Congress of the United States in 1960; and

WHEREAS, Persons eligible for membership in the organization include mothers, adoptive mothers, stepmothers, foster mothers, grandmothers, or the legal guardians of a person who is serving in the Armed Forces, or has served in, or has been honorably discharged from, the Armed Forces; and

WHEREAS, Family members and friends may become associate members, and fathers of military personnel or veterans may join a Blue Star Dads’ Association; and

WHEREAS, The work of Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc., includes providing support for active duty service personnel and their families, promoting patriotism, and assisting various veteran organizations, such as the American Gold Star Mothers, Inc.; and

WHEREAS, The work of the Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc., is increasingly important with the hundreds of thousands of United States Armed Forces men and women who have served in Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, the global war on terrorism, and with the continued deployments of the California National Guard and our active duty military and its reserve components; and

WHEREAS, The dedication, sacrifice, and hard work of the devoted members of the Blue Stars Mothers of America, Inc., merit recognition; and

WHEREAS, The Blue Star Flag is the official banner authorized by the Department of Defense for display by families who have members serving in the United States Armed Forces during a period of war or armed conflict in which the nation may be engaged in for the duration of such hostilities; and

WHEREAS, The Blue Star Flag was designed and patented by World War I Army Captain Robert L. Queisser of the 5th Ohio Infantry who had two sons serving on the front lines and the flag quickly became an unofficial symbol of a child in service; now, therefore, be it