INFORMATION ABOUT THE 
SERVICE FLAG AND BUTTON

• The national Service Flag was created by R. L. Queisser, a former U.S. Army officer (Captain, 5th Ohio Infantry), in honor of his two sons who were serving in Europe during World War I.  The flag caught on, and was made commercially; an ad for a "son in service" flag appeared in the October, 1917 issue of the National Geographic.  Queisser turned over the rights to the design to the government.  It was during World War II, however, that the flag really took off, and its display as a window banner was a common sight across America.  And it was not only related to family use; organizations often displayed the flag, its white field crowded with the "stars" of employees called to fight the Axis.  
• The Service Flag, Banner, and Lapel Button are regulated by the U.S. Department of Defense, by act of Congress (see 36 U.S.C. 179-182).  The pertinent sections are found in Department of Defense Directive 1348.20, 1 December 1967 (plus subsequent revisions), and 1348.33m.  
• For the complete regulations, and to see RRGF's authorization, CLICK HERE

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

1. What is the official size of the Service Flag or Service Banner?
   A:  The government does not specify a size, but it does specify a proportion.  Service flags and banners are proportioned 10:19 (or 1.9:1), the same as the U.S. Flag.  While many companies make banners 8x15, RRGF's window banners are 10 inches by 19 inches, thus making the size and proportion the same.  (Note: the size of the flag or banner does not include the attachment or "hoist", and usual and customary allowances for variation in fabric cutting are permitted).  For full-sized flags (which are very hard to find) we make the flags 32" x 60".  RRGF chose 32 inches along the hoist side because it would allow a flag to be made that fit the proportion whilst not being longer than the very common 3' x 5' US Flag (which ironically does not conform to the official government proportion for US national flags!).  In this manner a person could fly both the US Flag and the Service Flag on the same pole (US Flag on top, of course) without "violating" the flag code.
2. What is the difference between a flag and banner?
   A:  Sometimes not much, but technically a flag is made to be flown off a vertical pole whilst a banner is usually made to hang vertically from a horizontal attachment, and may be only one-sided. 
3. I notice you ask people to "certify" that they are qualified to display the flag?  Why?
   A:  Legally speaking, the Service Flag, Banner, or Lapel Button are only authorized for the immediate family members of a person(s) in the uniformed military services of the United States, or by organizations that have a formal relationship with the member.  Here is the actual wording:
   a)  "Members of the immediate family" include wife, husband, mother, father, stepmother, stepfather, parent through adoption, foster parents who stand or stood in loco parentis, children, stepchildren, children through adoption, bothers, sisters, half brothers, and half sisters of a member of the Armed Forces of the United States.
   b)  "Organizations" include those group organizations such as churches, schools, colleges, fraternities, sororities, societies, and places of business with which the member of the Armed Forces was or is associated.
   There is nothing in the regulations that prohibits someone from buying the Service Flags or Buttons to give to a qualified family member as a gift.  And while the onus is on the person possessing the flag as to whether they are entitled to display it, there is a $1000 fine for businesses if they don't "play by the rules."  We prefer to play by the rules.
4. My son is in the reserves.  May I display a  window banner?
   A:  Yes.  No distinction is made between active and reserve status.  Here is the official wording concerning the policy of the Department of Defense concerning authorized display:
   1. The service flag authorized by the Act may be displayed in a window of the place of residence of persons who are members of the immediate family of a person serving in the Armed Forces of the United States during any period of war or hostilities in which the Armed Forces of the United States may be engaged, for the duration of such period of war or hostilities.
   2. The service flag may be displayed by an organization to honor the members of that organization serving in the Armed Forces of the United States during any period of war or hostilities in which the Armed Forces of the United States may be engaged, for the duration of such period of war or hostilities.
   3. The service lapel button authorized by the Act may be worn by members of the immediate family of a person serving in the Armed Forces of the United States may be engaged, for the duration of such period of war or hostilities.
5. My daughter is an active duty, state-side nurse.  May I display a Service Flag?
   A:  Yes.  Your daughter does not have to be in a war zone to qualify you for display.  No matter where your family member serves, as long as they are in the military during the current war status you may display a flag or banner, or wear the lapel button.
6. You sell both a lapel button and pin; which one is authorized?
   A:  The button is the official device for a family member to wear.  It is very small - only 3/16" x 3/8".  Few businesses carry these awards.  The USA/SERVICE FLAG lapel pin is an item created by RRGF.  RRGF was given a waver to use more readily available panels to create this item.  Samples of both the USA/SERVICE FLAG lapel pin and the REGULATION SERVICE BUTTON made by RRGF are on file at the The Institute Of Heraldry, United States Army, the licensing arm of the Department of Defense.
7. Where are your products made?
   A:  All Service Flags, Banners, Buttons, and Pins are MADE IN USA, either directly by RRGF, or under RRGF's license, and in strict accordance to the regulations.  The pins and buttons are 24k Gold trimmed, solid brass panels, using the proper Pantone® authorized colors.  All materials used to make our flags, banners, buttons, and pins are MADE IN USA. 
8. I see some of these flags have a gold star.  Why?
   A:  Sadly, it means the service man or woman died during the war.  Under these conditions a gold star is placed overtop the blue star so that a blue border forms around the gold star.  The death does not have to be combat related.
9. My grandfather served during World War II.  May I display a Service Flag?
   No.  Service Flags and Buttons are meant to honor current service personnel in the current War on Terrorism.  There are lots of fitting ways to honor your grandfather, but the Service Flag is not one of them.

On Christmas Day,2002, I was presented with an American Flag by Sgt. Zach Weaver, USAF.  This certificate accompanied the flag.  It reads, "This Flag is Presented to RICHARD GIDEON.  This is to certify on November 27th, 2002, the deployed KC-135R air refueling crew of PYTHON 03, flew this American Flag over hostile territory on a combat mission supporting Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.  This Flag represents our dedication and steadfast devotion to duty in the fight against Global Terror, and the vindication of the thousands of innocent people that perished during the World Trade Center and Pentagon terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001"  It is signed by the crew of PYTHON 03, Capt. Peter J. Birchenough, Aircraft Commander; 1Lt. Gregory A. Amig, Co-Pilot; and SSgt. Joshua P. Brown, Boom Operator.  This is one of the nicest gifts I've ever received; my thanks to Zach and the crew of PYTHON 03.  Richard R. Gideon, USAF 1966 - 1969

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