BLUE TO GOLD LIAISONS Thank you for honoring the families of our beloved fallen Heroes Slideshow presented Convention 2019 by T eri Reece, National Third Vice President Credits also to: Christine Boyd, Past National Third Vice President & her Blue to Gold Liaison Handbook
BLUE TO GOLD PROGRAM After the September 11 terrorist attack on American soil and impending War on the horizon, fear and sorrow entered the hearts of Blue Star Mothers. Memories • of the Vietnam War surfaced. Determined not to let our Nation mar the sacrifice of the Warrior or the family left behind, the Blue to Gold Program was borne out of honor, love, and respect. In military tradition, when a man or woman enters the Armed Forces of the United States of America, pledging to defend America with their life, a Blue Star • Banner may be displayed by their family. The Red border of the Banner represents the blood shed by past Warriors in defending our Nation. • The field of White symbolizes the purity of Spirit – the price of Peace that only a Warrior understands. • The Blue Star signifies loyalty, honor, and duty entrusted in our Defenders. • The Blue to Gold Program presentations is an honor by all Blue to Gold Liaisons. •
BLUE TO GOLD PROGRAM If fate causes the death of a defender, a smaller Gold Star for Valor and Sacrifice is placed over the Blue Star. The border of Blue is a constant reminder the • Warrior and family will always be remembered and honored by the brothers and sisters who lived to tell the tale. We, the Blue Star Mothers, stand beside our children in this legacy. The presentation of the Gold Star Banner is a solemn obligation of comfort and love to another parent and spouse. • The decision to receive and how to receive the Gold Star Banner is always the decision of the family. • It may not be possible for a member to present the banner. Options are the CAO, another organization, such as TAPS, Patriot Guard, etc. Under rare • circumstances the Gold Star may be mailed. The Blue to Gold Liaisons should make all steps necessary to attempt to do the presentations themselves. The CAO should not be presenting the BSMA, Inc. Blue • to Gold Banners.
T o Receive DoD Blue to Gold Liaison Emails Login to www.bluestarmothers.org - MY PROFILE TAB - EDIT PROFILE (to the right of your name) - SUBSCRIBE TO ELIST and change to YES - BLUE TO GOLD LIAISON change to – YES To read up on our Blue to Gold guidelines - FILES (left side) - Gold Star Files - Blue to Gold guidelines
DoD Casualty Notifications The DoD will remit notification of all DoD casualties of active military for combat related deaths OR for active military killed in non-combat while deployed. • The DoD will NOT remit notification of any other active military deaths. • Third Vice President has been instructed that she is not allowed to remit non DoD casualty notifications through the Blue to Gold email list serves. • Third Vice President will remit non DoD casualty notifications through the Blue to Gold email list serve in the event of a mass military casualty. •
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO BE A BLUE TO GOLD LIAISON? • Chapter Presidents list the Blue to Gold Liaison on the master form at the BSMA, Inc. Website. • The Blue to Gold Liaison then makes sure that their personal profile page on the BSMA, Inc. Website is marked as the Blue to Gold Liaison and they have followed the steps to receive the DoD Casualty Emails. • In some Chapters, the Third Vice President, the Chaplain or the President is the Blue to Gold Liaison. Chapters can decide who they wish to have represent their Chapter. • Some Chapters have more than 1 Blue to Gold Liaison, but only 1 name can be listed on the BSMA, Inc. form. It is suggested to have more than 1 B2G Liaison and also suggested to have at least 2 people for the Gold Banner Presentations.
CHAPTER LIAISON GUIDELINES Commit to abiding by the wishes of the family and the instructions of the Casualty Assistance Officer (CAO). NOTE: More than one CAO may be assigned to the • family – make sure to coordinate. Commit to following the guidelines of the Blue Star Mothers of American, Inc. • Commit to working with the National Third Vice President, Chapter members and all Chapters within the State. • Commit to send timely notices and involve State Members in the presentation. • Commit to a standardization of presentations within the State. • Commit to ensure that all arrangements and details are finalized. • Commit to the privacy of the family. • Commit to training others in the Chapter of the responsibilities and duties of the Chapter Blue to Gold Liaison. • Have patience. Understand that you may receive information in a short time frame. •
UNIFORM FOR BLUE TO GOLD LIAISONS • Navy Pants • Navy Blazer • White Shirt • White Gloves • BSMA Hat • Please be respectful and dress accordingly.
GOLD STAR BANNER PRESENTATION – WHAT DO I SAY? It is encouraged for all Blue to Gold Liaisons to remember that this is a very difficult time for the families of our fallen Heroes. It is recommended to present • the Gold Star Banner, kneeling in front of each recipient, present the Gold Star Banner, and state: • “ON BEHALF OF A GRATEFUL NATION AND THE BLUE STAR MOTHERS OF AMERICA, INC., WE PRESENT THIS GOLD STAR BANNER TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY AND OUR CONDOLENCES ON THE POSS OF YOUR (SON/DAUGHTER) (NAME) UNITED STATES (BRANCH).” 1 sentence is all you need to say. • No 2 presentations are the same and you may be asked to be a part of the actual services. Please remember that you are there to perform the task of the • Gold Star Banner presentation and you are a direct representative of the Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc. You do not need to read poems, the history of BSMA, Inc., etc., UNLESS you are asked specifically to be a part of the ceremony. Honor and Respect the families.
CHAPTER PRESENTATIONS GUIDELINES Contact the National Third Vice President at 3VP@bluestarmothers.us • Contact the CAO. The duty of the CAO is to protect and honor the family. • The CAO answers to the family and the DoD. • If you are not able to contact the CAO, ask the funeral director for assistance to make contact. • After contact has been made with the CAO, provide your contact information and information on the Blue to Gold Program. This will be relayed to the family. • Information on family contact will be given to you by the CAO. Coordinate the presentation with the CAO. • Make sure that you are presenting the Gold Star Banner. • Just because the fallen hero is ‘from’ your area, doesn’t mean that is where the service will be. • Do not order the Gold Star Banners unless you are handling the presentation. •
GOLD STAR BANNERS
GOLD STAR BANNERS – MUST BE ORDERED THROUGH BSMA, INC. CODE OF CONDUCT ARTICLE XIII. BLUE TO GOLD PROGRAM Section 1. Service Flags, Inc. is a family owned company located in Nevada (a strong supporter and donor to the Corporation since early 2002). All banners are donated or purchased through Service Flags, Inc., because the Corporation has entered into an Agreement with Service Flags, Inc., that permits the Corporation to purchase banners at a lower price than it would otherwise be able to do. Section 2. A Department of Defense official banner for a Fallen Warrior should be ordered through the National Third Vice President and should be presented to the parents and spouse of military personnel killed while serving his or her country. If the parents are not married, a separate banner should be presented to each. Banners for additional family Members may be purchased by the Department or Chapter. The National Third Vice President shall oversee and administer this Program.
HOW TO ORDER A GOLD STAR BANNER • Log on to the BSMA, Inc. Website: www.bluestarmothers.org • Click on the “Blue to Gold Page” on the left hand side. • Click on “Order a Banner” • Here you will fill in the request form for the Banner and be able to order more than 1 Banner. • Who can receipt a Gold Star Banner? Spouse, Mother and Father. If the parents are divorced, please order a Banner for each parent. • To Present a Gold Star Banner on behalf of BSMA, Inc. – you MUST order your Gold Star Banner through the National Website. • You MUST have the address of the Spouse, Mother and/or Father (if divorced) when ordering the Gold Star Banner. The new website Order form will have this information mandatory to complete your Order. There are instances when this information will not be released. Contact the 3VP , 3vp@bluestarmothers.us, to special circumstances. • The National Chaplain has a database that contains the names and addresses of each fallen Heroes Mother. Each Gold Star Mother Day, the National Chaplain remits a card on behalf of BSMA, Inc. so this information when filing out the request for a Gold Star Banner is required. Banner requests without this information cannot be processed.
GOLD STAR BANNERS • You can receive up to three (3) Banners: Mother, Father, Spouse • If parents are still married, then it would only be two (2) banners: Parents & Spouse. • Additional Gold Star Banners can be purchased at a discounted price for siblings, grandparents, etc. and are to be ordered directly from Service Flags
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