The Silver Star Families of America The Silver Star Families of America ( SSFOA ) is a 501 ( c ) tax exempt organization dedicated to honoring and supporting wounded , ill and injured veterans of all branches of the armed forces of the United States of America . The organization was founded in 2004 by Steve and Diana Newton with the assistance of Joseph and Sharon Newton and the entire Newton family . It is not related to the military decoration designated the Silver Star . Historical background . The tradition of a service banner with a blue star covered with silver threads to represent wounded service personnel began in 1917 or 1918 following the suggestion of Women ’ s Committee of the Council of National Defenses , but faded from use sometime between World War I and World War II . When the use of Blue and Gold Star Service Banners was formally adopted into the United States Code and made official , the tradition of the Silver Star Banner was overlooked . The Department of Defense , given the authority to govern the use of the service banners , concluded that existing Blue Star Service Banner or Gold Star Service Banners and Flags could not be altered . A new Silver Star Service Flag and Banner were designed and were quickly accepted widely used throughout the United States . The Silver Star Service Flag / Banner are trademarked . The name " Silver Star Service Banner " is TM . The actual Silver Star Service Banner is 8 . 5 " x 14 . " Footnote to service banner history : there is also a " War Mothers " Flag that was first flown over the capitol on Veterans Day in 1926 . This Flag is still flown every year on Veterans Day starting at 11 minutes after 11 o ' clock to sundown . Usage . The Silver Star Service Flag and Banner are symbols to remind Americans of the sacrifice made for them by so many . The Silver Star Service Banner is reserved for those who have been wounded , contracted a serious illness or injury in a war zone . The Silver Star Service Flag may be flown by anyone as a symbols of remembrance and honor . It may be flown during war or peace time . If flown with the United States Flag , the Silver Star Service Flag must be lower and / or of a smaller size than the United States Flag . Disposal methods are the same as those of the United States Flag . Qualifications for receiving the Silver Star Service Banner are located here : Note : The grommets from a properly disposed of Flag can be cleaned and given as recognition for service . Silver Star Service Banner Day . It was also believed that there should be a day set aside to remember the sacrifices of the wounded and ill : So the SSFOA petitioned the states to make May 1 Silver Star Service Banner Day . To date , 50 states , Guam , Saipan , the U . S . Virgin Islands , the Chickasaw Nation and the District of Columbia has issued proclamations recognizing the Silver Star Families of America and Silver Star Service Banner Day . Over 2 , 900 cities and counties have also signed on . The State of Missouri has made the day into law . Silver Star Service Banner Day is now in the United States Congress . On April 21 , 2010 , the United States House of Representatives passed H Res . 855 , a stand alone resolution , making the SSFOA Silver Star Service Banner official and making May 1 Silver Star Service Banner Day . " Resolved , That the House of Representatives supports the designation of ‘ Silver Star Service Banner Day ’ and calls upon the people of the United States to observe the day with appropriate programs , ceremonies , and activities . " . On May 19 , 2010 the United States Senate followed suit and approved Senate Resolution 534 and it was sent to the President of the United States . " Resolved , That the Senate designates May 1 , 2010 , as ‘ Silver Star Service Banner Day ’ and calls upon the people of the United States to observe the day with appropriate programs , ceremonies , and activities . " On April 29th , 2011 the President of the United States Barack Obama issued this statement : " When our men and women in uniform return from deployment , it is our moral obligation and great honor to serve them as well as they served us . Our debt of gratitude extends to their families and friends , who embody the same qualities of bravery , sacrifice and duty exhibited by their loved ones . On Silver Star Service Banner Day , we recommit to caring for those who return to us wounded or ill , and we remain humbled by the heroic contributions they have made to our Nation . " Like many organizations , the Silver Star Families of America has a Challenge Coin .