The City of Grovetown and the Grovetown Garden Club unveiled the new Blue Star Memorial Marker at the dedication ceremony held at Veterans Park on Saturday, Nov. 12.
“The Blue Star Memorial Markers honors all men and women who serve in the United States Armed Forces. The program began with the planting of 8,000 dogwood trees by the New Jersey Council of the Garden Clubs in 1944 as a living memorial to veterans of World War II,” according to the National Garden Club. “In 1945, the National Garden Clubs adopted the program and began a Blue Star Highway system that covered thousands of miles across the continental United States, Alaska and Hawaii.”
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The program has now grown to all men and women who have served or are serving or will serve. Since the beginning of the program in 1944, garden clubs have dedicated over 3,500 markers along U.S. highways, national cemeteries, VA hospitals, military facilities, parks and more according to the national garden club. Georgia has approximately 170 markers in the state.
Many people attended or spoke at Saturday’s ceremony including Grovetown Mayor Gary Jones, Grovetown City Administrator Elaine Matthews, Grovetown City Council Members, members of the Garden Club of Georgia, Augusta and Grovetown, Azalea District Director Betty Davis, Columbia County District Attorney Bobby Christine and more.
The new Blue Star Memorial Marker is located in front of the Veterans Memorial Wall at Veteran Park in Grovetown.
“I’m very proud of Grovetown for putting this in their community to remind everybody of those who gave us their service and some who gave their lives,” Davis said during the ceremony.
Grovetown City Council Member Eric Blair also spoke at the ceremony and recognized those who have served and those who have family members serving. Blair served 24 years in the military and retired as a Major from the United States Army.
“I can’t think of a better location that the front lawn of Veterans Park, which has this Memorial Wall behind us that is engraved with men and women who have served are armed forces from Columbia County,” Blair said. “I ensure that it is a beautiful addition to the park, and it is going to be a lasting tribute to all those who have served in our armed forces.”
Blue Star Memorial Marker Charmain of the Garden Club of Georgia Jan Thiese presented a certificate from the National Garden Club to Mayor Jones, President of the Grovetown Garden Club Shiloh Vasquez and President of the Garden Club of Georgia Peggy Tucker.
Following the dedication of the Blue Star Memorial Marker, a Veterans Luncheon was held at Liberty Park.
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Chris Rickerson is a staff reporter covering Columbia County government and general assignment topics for The Augusta Press. Reach him at chris@theaugustapress.com.
