Westerville in Franklin County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The Service Flag

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 26, 2026

1. The Service Flag Markers

Inscription.

★★★★★★
The Service flag is an official banner authorized by the Department of Defense for display by families who have members serving in the Armed Forces during any period of war or hostilities the United States may be engaged in for the duration of such hostilities.

Each blue star on the flag represents a service member in active duty. The blue star is covered or replaced with a gold star if a service member is killed in action or dies in service.

★★★★★★
"There's A Service Flag In The Window."
Written and published by Colonel Charles Young
(Xenia, Ohio), 1918

Charles Young was the first African American to reach the rank of Colonel in the US Army.

There is a Service Flag in the window,
And how it heartens me
Their soldier with the colors
To make the wide world free.

There's a Service Flag in the window
That fires with faith my soul and
Urges me to battle
For my country's highest goal.

Then forward my feet,
Be first in the fight!
Strengthen, oh arm, and battle for the right!
Courage, my heart, and gird thee with might
For the

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laurels of Victory!

Erected by City of Westerville and Concerned Citizens and Organizations.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Patriots & Patriotism • War, World I. A significant historical year for this entry is 1918.

Location. 40° 8.064′ N, 82° 56.937′ W. Marker is in Westerville, Ohio, in Franklin County. It can be reached from no nearby street. Located in Veterans Memorial Park within the Westerville Sports Complex. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 325 North Cleveland Avenue, Westerville OH 43081, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Scioto Valley

and in the Columbus Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker:

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 26, 2026

2. The Service Flag Markers

At left side of low wall

Prisoner of War ★ Missing in Action (a few steps from this marker); Transitions (a few steps from this marker); Call to Service (a few steps from this marker); A Proud Tradition (a few steps from this marker); "Reflections on a Family's Journey (a few steps from this marker); Homecoming (a few steps from this marker); Veterans Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Veterans Memorial Fund Sponsor Request (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Westerville.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Gold Star Memorial By-Way Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 26, 2026

3. Gold Star Memorial By-Way Marker

Mounted in ground in the garden

Credits. This page was last revised on September 7, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 30, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 9 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 30, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.