Great-grandfather honored

GRAVETTE — The greatgrandfather of a Gravette man was honored Nov. 8 when he was inducted into the Ohio Veterans’ Hall of Fame in a ceremony held at the National Museum of the Air Force in Dayton, Ohio.

Captain Robert L. Queisser was one of 15 veterans selected from among the more than 100 nominated for the honor. He served with the 5th Ohio Infantry and saw duty on the Mexican border. When his two sons were called to France during World War I, he designed the Blue Star service flag which “quickly became the unofficial symbol of a child in service,” said Susan Naill, national recording secretary of Blue Star Mothers of America.

Scott Queisser of Gravette is Capt. Queisser’s greatgrandson. Charles Queisser, another great-grandson, was present at the ceremony to accept a medallion and framed certificate.

The Ohio Veterans’ Hall of Fame was founded in 1992. Among its inductees are six presidents with roots in Ohio,astronauts John Glenn and Neil Armstrong, Medal of Honor recipients and numerous Ohioans who have served dating as far back as near-Revolutionary War days. The Hall of Fame honors those who, “after their military service, put their skills and abilities to work in their local communities and who, by their continued service and positive accomplishments, inspired their fellow citizens,” Naill said.

Queisser was a successful businessman in Zanesville and Cleveland, as well as being an Ohio National Guard veteran. The flag he designed features a blue star on a white field, bordered with red. It was described in the Sept. 24, 1917, Congressional Record: “The Mayor of Cleveland, the Chamber of Commerce and the Governor of Ohio have adopted this service flag. The world should know of those who give so much for liberty. The dearest thing in all the world to a father and mother - their children.”

A gold star replaces the blue in the flag if a service member is killed or dies in active service. In 1942 the Blue Star Mothers wereorganized and adopted the project, which continues to the present.

A feature story in the April 9, 2003, issue of the Gravette News Herald featured a picture of the flag, with information that the John E. Tracy American Legion Post in Gravette provides replicas for parents of service personnel to display. Several of the posters were distributed to local and area parents ofservice personnel serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

J.R. Gibbs, post adjutant, said, “It has been some time since one has been requested and I am ordering some.” You may contact the Legion Post, 899-3506, to reserve a free blue star window poster. Gibbs also left a limited number of the posters at the Eagle Observer office until the Legion’s supply can be replenished.