Hilda L. Solis: “I rise today also to strongly support this resolution. Popular during World War II, we are seeing the Blue Star Banners…”

“I rise today also to strongly support this resolution. Popular during World War II, we are seeing the Blue Star Banners flown again. I brought a copy of one, because these are being proudly flown in my own district in the cities of El Monte and West Covina, and they are being displayed by families who have loved ones serving in the Armed Forces, whether their family member is a son, daughter, brother, sister, wife, husband, or even a grandchild. The banner shows a family's pride in their loved one serving in the military. It also reminds us that we are preserving America's freedom and that demands so much. Blue Star Mothers and Gold Star Mothers organizations were established back in World War I and remain active even today. Unfortunately, we are also seeing more families displaying Gold Stars on their banners. Families like the Flores family in my district who just learned that they lost their son, Francisco A. Martinez Flores, who was killed in Iraq. We must honor the United States Armed Forces and their families because they are all heroes. I encourage these families to proudly display the Blue Star Banner.”