May 20, 2003 By Amy Karpinsky 3 min read

As a show of support for the nation’s troops that have been fighting in Iraq, American Legion Lafayette Post 51 in Uniontown will host a Blue Star Banner Program later this month. Joe T. Joseph, adjutant and program chairman, said the Blue Star Banner Program was instituted during World War II and shows respect for loves ones in the service.

During the program, any registered family member of someone serving in harm’s way will receive a banner to fly outside.

The program will be held at the post home at 114 North Gallatin Ave. at 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 31. The public is invited to attend.

Joseph said the program is the American Legion’s way of “bringing the families together to let them know someone cares.”

He said the banner reminds everyone that preserving America’s freedom demands great sacrifice. The banner is a red flag with a blue star.

During the program, commander Ronald E. Danko will serve as toastmaster and main speaker. Retired U.S. Marine Corps Master Sgt. John Kenes and Col. Ronald J. Parks will also speak. Parks will talk about how troops are prepared for war.

Plans are also to have the honor guard display their colors and for a group to sing a patriotic selection. Joseph said Lt. Jackie Sickles has been working with the members from the local reserve unit that recently returned from Afghanistan.

He said the post has been working to help military family members. He said some examples of the people the Legion has supported include an 18-year-old with partial mental retardation whose father was deployed, and a woman who depended on her son for support before he was deployed.

“We’re here as a supportive group,” Joseph said.

The Post is also holding an event at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, during which it will receive a charter from the Department of Pennsylvania for the new addition to the club, a Sons of the American Legion (SAL) chapter. Efforts to recruit members began after the first of the year and the group will officially receive the charter from Detachment commander Anthony W. Wright during the event.

Joseph said there are 30 new legion members under SAL. To join, a potential member must have either a father or grandfather who served in the military and was honorable discharged.

The sole purpose of the SAL is for community service projects, Joseph said. Membership is open to boys ages 4 and up. Joseph said the Legion will soon be having events such as essay contests for the SAL members.

“We’re trying to keep kids off the street and give them something worthwhile to do,” Joseph said.

Any family with loved ones who are deployed that wishes to register for a banner is asked to call Joseph at 724-438-8688.