The Blue Star Memorial project began in 1944 with the planting of 8,000 dogwood trees by the New Jersey Council of Garden Clubs as a living memorial to veterans of World War II. The following year, National Garden Clubs adopted and expanded the program by initiating the Blue Star Highway system, which involves placing permanent memorial markers along the nation’s highways. “The Blue Star Memorial program is our oldest and most revered program,” says Renee D. Blaschke, NGC president. “We are proud to play a visible role in honoring our nation’s servicemen and servicewomen.”
Since the program’s inception, more than 2,163 Blue Star Memorials have been erected across the United States. The large, handsome metal markers are placed in national cemeteries, parks, government facilities, veterans homes and hospitals, and along highways across the U.S.
To help NGC members keep up on Blue Star Memorial activities across the nation, NGC has
set up a special Facebook page named “Blue Star Memorial Project of National Garden Clubs.” On the page, you’ll find photos, discussions and links to news articles about new memorial markers, dedications, fundraisers and restoration efforts. You can also share your own Blue Star news and photos by posting to the site.
If you’re on Facebook already, simply search for the page by name and join in. You can also access the page at this URL: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Blue-Star-Memorial-Project-of-National-Garden-Clubs/311974175292?ref=ts.
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