Resurfaced "Mothers Service Flag" first presented on Armistice Day, 1942, now hangs in the Meredith Public Library
A historic WWII Mothers’ Service Flag was recently returned to the Meredith Public Library.
Members of the Meredith Historical Society recently made a discovery among their treasures: a Mothers’ Service Flag made in 1942 that once hung at the Meredith Public Library.
Just in time for Mother’s Day and Memorial Day — and as a fitting part of America 250 celebrations — the society has partnered with the library to display the flag in its original home once more.
The public is invited to view it in the library’s Function Room, where it will hang through the end of summer.
Society member Jane Rice researched the history of the flag and its connection to the library. Her account is reproduced below and is also on display adjacent to the flag.
Service flags originated during World War I. Families were, and still are, permitted to display a flag bearing blue stars on a white field bordered in red — one for each family member serving in the armed forces — or a gold star for those who died in service.
Shortly after the United States entered World War II, a group called the Meredith Mothers of Sons in Service gathered at the Red Cross Rooms on the evening of July 24, 1942. Twenty-two mothers attended.
The group voted to become a permanent organization and began discussing ideas for future projects, among them raising funds for a service flag for the town.
At a subsequent meeting, a committee was formed to research flag prices. At the third meeting, Sept. 13, members voted to purchase a cotton bunting flag measuring 8 feet by 10 feet to present to the town.
Double-faced stars representing each service member could be added for 10 cents each. Donation boxes were placed with local merchants, and by the October meeting, $60 had been raised.
The flag was presented on Armistice Day 1942.
https://www.unionleader.com/news/history/historic-wwii-mothers-service-flag-returns-to-meredith-public-library/article_7ae01516-074f-414f-8225-425f0231daac.html
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