Last Friday, the United States Naval Hospital (USNH) in Yokosuka welcomed sailors who had returned home during the past several months after serving as Individual Augmentees (IAs). These IAs were deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kuwait, and on the U.S.N.S. Comfort, a hospital ship that frequently provides humanitarian assistance to developing countries.
During the ceremony, each sailor was presented with a Blue Star Service Banner, which was customized to bear their name. While sailors stationed at USNH Yokosuka are away serving, the flags are purchased by our Oakleaf Club and are hung in the hospital quarterdeck until they return.
Blue Star Service Banners were first displayed in front windows of homes during World War I to represent a son or husband serving in the Armed Forces. Today, the Service flag may be displayed by an organization to honor service men and women during any period of war or hostilities. The blue star represents hope and pride. A gold star, which replaces the blue star in the event a service member is killed in action, represents sacrifice to the cause of liberty. There were only blue stars today, thankfully.
Brian's friend and fellow pediatrician, CDR Craig Martin, is presented with his Service flag in this photo. Craig was deployed for four months on the U.S.N.S. Comfort last summer, serving in a South American humanitarian assistance effort.
Sydney decked out in her red, white, and blue, sits with Craig's wife, Sue (my friend and fellow dietitian), and their kids, Travis and Emma (or "Elmo" as Sydney calls her.) 
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