A collaborative effort between the City and the Chamber uses personalized banners to honor City of Crystal Lake residents and/or City of Crystal Lake government employees who actively serve in the military. The banners are free of charge to the honorees and their families.  These Blue Star Banners are displayed on light poles along a section of Route 14 known as Heroes Row.

Applications

Applications for the Blue Star Banner Program can be found on their website. The site also has information about the program, current honorees, previous honorees, news, and contact information. Applications for Honorees as well as for Sponsorship of the program can be found at the Blue Star Banner’s website, https://www.bluestarcl.com/. 

On a quarterly basis, applications will be reviewed by the Blue Star Banner committee made up of parents of active duty military service members, Veterans from Crystal Lake VFW Post 12014, and Veterans from American Legion Post 171. 

Nominating parties will be notified prior to the banner's placement. Subject to participation, a maximum of 25 banners will be hung during each round of the program.  When the banners are taken down they are presented to the families at a Banner Presentation Ceremony.