La Mirada~The La Mirada City Council honored two city residents serving in the U.S. Army and their family members during a Blue Star Banner presentation at the Council meeting on Tuesday.

U.S. Army Privates Alexandra and Taylor Ramirez are twin sisters who enlisted in the Army together in December 2012.  They were raised in La Mirada and attended Gardenhill Elementary School, Hutchinson Middle School and La Mirada High School.

After attending boot camp in Oklahoma, the sisters were transferred to the Army training center at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, to complete their advanced individual

Delaine Powers accepts a Blue Star Banner from Mayor Steve DeRuse at Tuesday's City Council meeting. Powers has twin daughters serving in the United States Army

training to become Military Police.

Alexandra and Taylor’s mother, Delaine Powers, attended the council meeting and was presented with the Blue Star banners in honor of her daughters’ service to our country.

The Blue Star program originated during World War I as a way for families to indicate that a loved one was serving in the military by displaying a Blue Star Banner in the front window of their homes.  This practice continues today throughout the country as a way for families and their community to honor those currently serving.

La Mirada has recognized 70 service men and women and their families through the City’s Blue Star Program.

La Mirada residents with family members serving in the military, including activated members of the National Guard and Reserves, can complete an application form on the City’s website and receive a Blue Star poster in the mail to display in your home.  Also, the service member’s name, picture and rank will be displayed on the City’s website.

For more information, call (562) 943-1031 or visit www.cityoflamirada.org.