Civil service flags have a long history of being used as symbols. They are used to remember and honor the memory of a lost service member. Soldiers in the Civil War cherished their regimental flags and often sacrificed themselves to protect them. They viewed them as more than just symbolism—they were a tangible manifestation of their beliefs and spirit.
Symbolism
Flags are more than just colorful pieces of cloth fluttering in the wind. They are potent symbols woven with threads of meaning, history, and shared values. This is especially true for civil service flags, which stand as silent sentinels for the ideals that guide those who serve the public good. Even the flag’s shape holds meaning. Unlike the familiar rectangle of national flags, the civil service flag is a swallowtail banner, symbolizing swiftness, agility, and the ability to adapt to changing needs. It’s a reminder that civil servants must be agile and responsive, ever-ready to navigate the complexities of public service. Across the globe, civil service flags carry similar symbolic weight. These flags are not merely decorative displays. They are constant visual reminders of the values that bind those who choose to serve. They are a silent pledge to uphold principles of impartiality, integrity, and excellence – the cornerstones of a well-functioning society.
History
Traditionally, family members of servicemen and women display the Blue Star Service Flag (also called the Gold Star Service Flag). It was designed in 1917 by Army Captain Robert L. Queisser of the Fifth Ohio Infantry to honor his two sons serving on the front lines in World War I. Queisser’s design soon became popular with other families and was adopted by government agencies. Today, the Department of Defense provides guidelines for manufacturing specifications and rules that govern who can display a service flag. In addition to parents, wives, husbands, children, stepchildren, and adoptive children, the DOD now authorizes sisters, brothers, and half-siblings of servicemen and women to fly the Blue Star Service Flag. Other designs were also developed to accommodate families with multiple servicemen and women or to include silver stars for wounded soldiers and gold stars for those who died in battle. While the specifics of the design changed, the underlying meaning remained the same: hope and pride, and grief and sacrifice to the cause of freedom.
Colors
The colors of a flag are symbolic and can convey many different ideas. During the Civil War, soldiers took great pride in their regimental flag and would protect it even to death. This is reflected in the numerous stories of men dying defending their flag or laying down their lives to save it from capture by the enemy. Today, the thin-line flag is a popular symbol supporting law enforcement and other public service branches. It features blue to represent law enforcement, purple to mourn the loss of firefighters, and gold to recognize emergency responders who have died in the line of duty.
Size
During the Civil War, soldiers took great pride in their regimental flags. They were revered, and men would sacrifice their lives defending them from enemy fire. The Civil War is famous for many of its gruesome battles. Service banners are a special flag that families with active duty service members display. They are made of a blue background with a gold star for each member serving or lost in action. This flag must only be manufactured by companies with a specific government license. When displaying it with the national flag, the ratio should be 10:19. It is also a common practice for families of deployed service members to display the flag.
