NORWICH – The Norwich American Legion Auxiliary invited two families to their meeting on February 8. Joe and Ruth Manwarren and Gerald and Pam Roys were presented with the “Blue Star” Service Flags honoring their sons, both serving in the active military.

Derek Manwarren is serving in the U.S. Marine Corp, currently in California. Eric Roys is serving in the U.S. Navy, currently aboard the USS Bulkeley in the Mediterranean Sea.

The Service flag is an official banner authorized by the Dept. of Defense for display by families who have members serving in the armed forces during any period of war or hostilities the United States may be engaged in for the duration of such hostilities.

The Service Flag, also called the Blue Star Flag, quickly became the unofficial symbol of a child in service. The Department of Defense specifies that family members authorized to display the flag include the wife, husband, mother, father, stepmother or father, parent through adoption, foster parents, children, stepchildren, foster parents, children through adoption, brothers, sisters and half brothers and sisters of a member of the armed forces of the United States. The flag should be displayed in a window of the residence of persons authorized.