I recently visited a friend who had a Service star banner in his window. When I mentioned the star and which son was serving and where he told me his son was stateside. I thought the Service star was for families with children stationed overseas? Is it for stateside also?

it is for any service member... here is the history
http://bluestarsforsafereturn.com/history.htm

Just had this conversation with DDIL, she says only overseas in conflict and I read serving during conflict, can be stationed state side.
My is hanging with 2 stars, 1 son in Afghanistan and 1 in HI (his wife is DDIL).
Guess it depends on what site you visit and read.

OMG you brought back one of those memories I forgot I had!! We had a service star hanging in the front window when my brother was in Nam. I had completely forgotten about that.

Now a flood of memories of my brothers service years are all flooding back at one time. He was 14 years my senior so my memories are that of a 5-7 year old (he did 3 tours in Nam).

Thanks for the memory!!

Thanks for the website, I should have googled it myself. Ok now I feel better about him asking me to make him a new one.

you're welcome. please show us your creation when done.

My Grandmother had 2 hanging in her in window from the Korean War for my Uncles . My cousins has pic of his Dad's star we were blessed they both came home. We hung one for my Brother when he went to Vietnam he has it My Grandma made it also . We were Blessed again he came home but is 100% disable now from the war. Tomorrow we will bury my neighbor Son he died in Afghanistan on 8/19/11. The stars go back along way I think every Soldier should have one who is serving away from home.

What you NEVER, NEVER EVER wanted was a Gold Star hanging in your front window!!!

Everyone then knew that your son was never coming back, except to be buried.

I really never heard about these, our oldest Grandson (23) has been to Iraq twice, due home in a month or so. I do have a bumper sticker on my truck, saying My Grandson is Serving in the United States Army. He got it for me after he finished basic training several years ago. I think he is planning on making it a career.