Ortonville- Alice Marsh recalls that during World War II, her mother kept a flag with a blue star on it in the front window of their home.
The star represented Alice’s brother, Ed Burton, who was serving in the military.
Alice married Gerald Marsh, who also served in World War II, as did his older brother, George, and twin brother, Glenn. Their mother also kept the same flag in her front window, albeit one with three blue stars, each representing a son. One of those stars was changed to gold after George Marsh was killed Feb. 3, 1945 during the ‘Battle of the Bulge.? The flag remained in the window until the parents died.
The military service flags with blue stars representing family members serving in a branch of the military date back to World War I. They regained popularity during World War II.
‘People don’t really remember these,? Alice Marsh says. ‘I would love for these to make a comeback.?
In an attempt to make a military service flag comeback a reality, she contacted American Heroes.cc, the company that makes the flags. Over the past several months, Marsh has ordered nearly 20 of the flags, obtaining them at a discounted price, so that she can give them to parents or spouses of men and women serving in the U.S. military.
‘If they can go over there and fight for me, I can do something for their family,? Marsh says. ‘It’s the least I can do. I want to show my gratitude.?
Marsh has given away 11 flags to date and has seven more read to give. She will order more as needed.
Anyone with a child or spouse in the military, regardless of where they are serving, can receive a flag from Marsh. For more information, call (248) 627-6162.