For this Louisiana family, service to country is a family affair

Capt. Will Greer, Brig. Gen.

Michael Greer, Capt. Hays Greer and now Cadet Michael Greer. Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save The study of flags, called vexillology, has its own nomenclature.

In 1917, the Blue Star Service Banner was created and introduced in World War I. The most common version of the banner features a single blue star on a white rectangular field with a red border. The single-star banners are displayed to show that a family member is currently serving in the Armed Forces.

The banners began to be hung in homes of those serving during WWI. By World War II, the number of Blue Star Banners "went to stratospheric proportions," according to vexillologist James Ferrigan, of Reno, Nevada. These days, for a mere $8.

99 from the American Legion , families with someone serving in the military can order a small version, 8 inches by 16 inches, of the banners to display their pride and support. The one-star banner wouldn't work for Brig. Gen.

Michael Greer's family. Greer, 55, is the Assistant Adjutant General for the Louisiana National Guard and serves as the principal military advisor to the Adjutant General of the State of Louisiana. He is responsible for assisting in the deployment and coordination of programs, policies and plans for the Louisiana Army and Air National Guard.

Capt. Will Greer at his graduation from the United States Military Academy at West Point. Greer's oldest son, Capt.

Will Greer, now 28, graduated from West Point Mili.