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Show SERVICE FLAG IS INVENTED IN OHIO In order to clarify disputes whicii have arisen over" the service flag, its origin and established usage, an official of-ficial investigation' has been made by the United States Committee on Public Information. "The service flag," says the report, re-port, "is not an official flag of the United States. The idea was an entirely en-tirely novel one, the credit for the conception of which appears to be due to R. L. Quelsser of Cleveland, Ohio. It has, however, taken such a firm root in popular sentiment ano has been of such beneficial influence that it is officially recognized and everyone who is entitled to fly it Is encouraged and urged to do so." Mr. Queisser was formerly captain of the machine gun company of the 5th Ohio Infantry, now the 145th XT. S. Infantry, from which he was retired re-tired because of an accident. He thus states the origin of the flag: "Shortly after April 6, 1917, when war with Germany was declared, the thought came to me that both of my sons, who were still officers of the guard, would again be called out. I wondered if I could evolve some sign or symbol by which it might be known that they were away in their country's service, and one which would be to their mother a visible sign of the sacrifice her sons were making. That Is how the inspiration came to me." |