What is a Blue Star Neighbor?

A blue star neighbor is a non-military or civilian individual or family who lives in the same neighborhood as an active duty, reservist or retired military member. Val DiGiorgio shares his personal advice on how to be a welcoming blue star neighbor:

Every year, thousands of military members and their families move into communities across America.  You might envision these families living on a military base.  But the truth is, they are actually more likely to live in normal civilian neighborhoods.  You just might not realize it!  Val DiGiorgio grew up in a military family and he is proud of his military lineage.  For him, feeling like part of his community was always an essential part of feeling welcome.  That’s something he believes Blue Star Neighbors should keep in mind: to be welcoming.  Embrace the importance of your neighbor’s military identity.  But don’t assume that their whole life is about their career!  Much like you return home from work to relax and enjoy time with your family, service members live the same way.  Show your support without going over-the-top: that can often be key in making someone feel accepted and welcome in your neck of the woods.