Senate Designates Silver Star Day

The State of Oklahoma has a proud military heritage and prides itself on honoring and supporting the men and women of the armed forces. On Tuesday, the State Senate praised the Silver Star Families of America, with the passage of Senate Resolution 29, for their efforts in honoring those who have been injured or wounded in the defense of their country.

"Oklahoma has always supported and honored the men and women in the U.S. Armed Forces and the sacrifices they make for each and every one of us," said Barrington, R-Lawton. "But today we also wanted to honor an organization that goes above and beyond in honoring those soldiers who are hurt in battle.”

Silver Star Families is a not-for-profit, all volunteer organization founded for the purpose of establishing a Service Flag to honor wounded military men and women. The organization also provides assistance and support to these soldiers and their families.

“It’s hard to lose a loved one, but it can be just as hard for families whose loved ones have been physically or emotionally injured during a war, especially if their injury keeps them from working. This can lead to further emotional stress and a tremendous financial burden for the family,” said Barrington. “I’m so proud of this organization for bringing these situations to light and helping the public better understand what these families go through.”

The Silver Star Families of America was founded on April 11, 2005. The tradition of the Silver Star for the wounded dates back to 1917 when people would sew silver thread over Blue Stars to signify wounded soldiers. To date the organization has freely donated hundreds of Silver Star Banners to wounded American military personnel from all wars and their families. The group also provides these soldiers and families with Silver Star Flags and care packages delivered to military and veterans’ hospitals, nursing homes, and combat support hospitals in Iraq.

“The mission of the Silver Star Families is to assure that whenever someone sees a Silver Star Banner in a window or a Silver Star Flag flying, that person will remember, and never forget, the blood that has been sacrificed by so many of our brave men and women, because freedom is not free!” said Barrington.

The resolution also designates May 1, 2007 as “Silver Star Day” in Oklahoma in recognition of the wounded military personnel of this state.