Vinatieri doesn't want any more Gold Stars

Whittier has its first Gold Star for a member of the military dying. One is enough, said Councilman Joe Vinatieri during Tuesday's council meeting. He was speaking about the death of 33-year-old Army 1st Sgt. Blue C. Rowe, who was killed May 26 by an improvised explosive near Panjshir in Afghanistan.

"I just want to say to our community that to see Sgt. Rowe's Blue Star in front of El Pollo Loco turn into a gold star is a very sad thing," Vinatieri said. "I hope the city of Whittier has no more of these.

The city has a Blue Star Program to honor Whittier residents serving in the military. It becomes a Gold Star should the family member die. The Blue Star Program originated during World War I with families displaying a flag in the front window of their homes to indicating that a child was serving in the military. Residents residents with members of their immediate family serving receive a Blue Star Service kit including Blue Star Service flag, lapel pin and window decal from the city. Whittier has given out 60 Blue Stars.

Vinatieri also encouraged members of the community to drop the Rowes a note and let them know you're praying for them. "I'm hopeful our community can come together and put together some kind of assessment of needs for the family," he said. "I want to wish the family the best."