The City of Crystal Lake and the Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce implemented the Blue Star Banner Program to honor the local men and women in our community as well as City of Crystal Lake government employees actively serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, proudly displaying Blue Star banners throughout the Rt. 14 corridor between Dole Avenue to near Keith Street in Crystal Lake.
Today, there are over
1.3 Million
active men and women in our armed forces.
Approximately 400 are
from Crystal Lake.
History
The “Blue Star” symbol began around 400 BC when Alexander the Great made use of it as a sign of great heroism. The Purple Heart also contained the blue star, but years later it was changed to its present design.
The Blue Star Flag was created in 1917, hanging in homes to denote family members serving our Armed Forces; each star represents a family member proudly serving our country. Although the program was widely used during both the wars, the program did not receive the same enthusiasm during the Korean or Vietnam wars.
The American Legion rekindled that spirit of pride in our military men and women following the September 11th terrorists’ attacks. In February of 2017, former Mayor Aaron Shepley and the Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce adapted this program to recognize the men and women – our real heroes – on active duty who continue to sacrifice so much for our freedom.
The 6-foot tall Blue Star banners are created for each Crystal Lake military member proudly serving our Country and are displayed for a three-six-month periods along the Rt. 14 corridor known as “Heroes Row.” This stretch of roadway runs from Dole Avenue to near Keith Street. When the banners are taken down they are given to the nominee’s family at a presentation ceremony.
4-Star Sponsors
FAQ’s
Active-duty members of the military who are from Crystal Lake as well as active duty members who are City Government employees.
Nomination applications are available here, or on the City of Crystal Lake’s website at CrystalLake.org/our-community/blue-star-banner-program, or the Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce website at CLchamber.com/blue-star-banner-program. Please email completed forms to info@BlueStarCL.com or mail to the Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce, ATTN: Blue Star Banner Program, 427 West Virginia Street, Crystal Lake, IL 60014.
All nominations are reviewed by the Blue Star Banner Committee which is made up of Veterans of the Armed Forces as well committee members who are parents of active-duty personnel.
Thanks to the generosity of our program sponsors, banners are provided for qualified nominees at no cost to them or their families.
Banners are hung for several months and then taken down to be replaced by others. Once the banners are taken down, a special presentation ceremony takes place to present the families with the banners along with a certification of appreciation.
The city has designated 26 light poles with banner arms for use by the Blue Star Banner Program. One is reserved for the Gold Star Banner which hangs all year.
Businesses are welcome to become sponsors of the program through donations. Sponsorship forms are available here, or on the city of CLchamber.com/blue-star-banner-program, or the Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce website at Crystallake.org/our-community/blue-star-banner-program. Please email completed forms to info@BlueStarCL.com or mail to the Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce, ATTN: Blue Star Banner Program, 427 West Virginia Street, Crystal Lake, IL 60014.
The City of Crystal Lake hangs the banners along a section of Rt. 14 known as Heroes Row.
The Blue Star Banner Committee, together with the city of Crystal Lake manage the program along with assistance from the Chamber of Commerce.
