Blue Star Memorial Markers and By-Way Markers

The Blue Star Memorial Program honors service men and women who have served, are serving or will be serving in the armed services of the United States. In 1945, the National Council of State Garden Clubs (now National Garden Clubs, Inc.) adopted the program started in New Jersey and began a Blue Star Highway system, which covers thousands of miles across the Continental United States, Alaska and Hawaii. A large metal Blue Star Memorial Highway Marker was placed at appropriate locations along the way. Memorial Markers and By-Way Markers are placed at locations such as national cemeteries, parks, veteran's facilities and gardens. The Blue Star became an icon in World War II and was seen on flags and banners in homes for sons and daughters away at war, as well as in churches and businesses.

Georgia garden clubs have been especially active in recent years, raising money to erect Blue Star Markers throughout our state to honor our military personnel.

Blue Star Memorial Price Change
Effective June 1, 2008 and good until May 2010, the cost of erecting a Blue Star Marker will be $1,200, and for a Blue Star Plaque, $395. For more details, contact:

Janice Thiese
GCG Blue Star Marker State Chairman
128 Weatherly Drive
Macon, GA 31210
478-477-6507
janicemariemaconga@cox.net

Blue Star Markers and Dedications

Blue Star Memorial Marker Dedication at the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton on June 14, 2008 sponsored by Garden Club Council of Cherokee County. There were between 150 and 200 attendees at the dedication. Beautiful music was provided by the Cherokee Community Chorale. The Patriot Guard Riders came in great numbers and theirs was an awesome presence that gave a solemnity to the day. Barbara Stegall, Laurel District Blue Star Memorial Marker Chair presented the marker to the Director of the Georgia National Cemetery. Betty Lester, State Chairman shared a history of the Blue Star Program. Pictured from left to right: Myra Jones, President, Laurel Garden Club of Canton, Mary Ellen Roos, President, Garden Club Council of Cherokee, Lou Ann Bleakley, Laurel District Director, Betty Lester, State Blue Star Memorial Marker Chair.		The Screven County Garden Club, Oleander District, in cooperation with the VFW Post 7116, dedicated a Blue Star Memorial Marker on Highway 21 on May 28, 2008. The Colors were presented by members of VFW Post 7116. Screven County Garden Club president Henrilyn Cleland welcomed everyone and Dee Gurka gave the history of the Blue Star Memorial Marker, followed by the Military Tribute by Richard Montgomery, Commander VFW Post 7116. GCG President Sara Lanier then dedicated the Marker. The Screven County Garden Club appreciates the assistance of the VFW Post 7116, and the enthusiastic support of the entire community. Pictured above are Screven County Garden Club members who served with pride on the Blue Star Memorial Marker project. Left to right: Faye Montgomery, Janie Parker, Yvonne Wells, Vivian Forehand and Dee Gurka. Also pictured is Richard Montgomery, Commander VFW Post 7116.
On Friday, May 30, 2008, The Landings Garden Club held a dedication ceremony for a Blue Star Memorial By-Way Marker which the club recently erected at the flagpole by The Landings Association's Administrative Building. The marker honors all men and women who have served, are serving or will serve in the Armed Forces of the United States.		Blue Star Memorial By-Way Marker erected by The Landings Garden Club.
This Blue Star Marker, sponsored by the three garden clubs of Smoke Rise (Smoke Rise Morning Glories, Mountain Mums and Smoke Rise GC), was placed at the entrance of the Smoke Rise Elementary School in Stone Mountain April 12, 2007. Students participated in the ceremony by presenting a patriotic choral program for attendees. Two students at the school had fathers who had just returned from Iraq. Those students and their fathers placed the wreath at the base of the marker and led the Pledge of Allegiance.		Dedication of the Dogwood District Blue Star Marker in Tallapoosa on May 24, 2007, at the Georgia Welcome Center. Bulb sales in Dogwood District funded this wonderful project. Members of Spade & Trowel Garden Club in Carrollton provided plant material and labor in landscaping the BSMM in Tallapoosa. Left to right: Betty Lester, GCG State Chairman for Blue Star Markers; Mary Collins; Ann Fletcher; Lisa Robinson, DDD 2006-07; JoAnn Jones, current Dogwood District Director; Gina Kuykendall, Chairman of the Dogwood West BSMM project; Barbara Taylor, DDD 2005-06; Susan Fleck; and Jeannie Williams. Mary, Ann, Susan and Jeannie are all members of Spade and Trowel Garden Club.

Historic Trail Markers and Historic Markers

	Read about the Garden Club of Ellijay's Trail of Tears Memorial Project >

It is extremely important that historical trails—such as Bartram Trail, Three Notch Trail, Thigpen Trail and all Indian Trails—be located and marked because so much of our heritage is being lost by "progress." These trails with their protected areas of endangered plant and wildlife species and restored natural beauty are a priceless legacy for future generations. Bartram Trail Markers have been erected in many locations in Georgia. Contact our State Chairman for information and application forms.

The Georgia Historical Society is the granting authority for the Georgia Historical Marker Program, which educates citizens and visitors about the people, places, and events that have shaped Georgia's past and present. These distinctive black and silver markers bearing the Georgia Historical Society seal have been erected at significant locations statewide. Dogwood District of the Garden Club of Georgia partnered with the GHS and Historic Oakland Foundation to erect an historic marker at Oakland Cemetery in Atlanta. The Garden Club of Georgia encourages its clubs to preserve and beautify historic trails within the state. For more details contact:

Peg Glover
Historical Marker State Chairman
2357 Highway 220 East
Lincolnton, GA 30817-8663
glovmp@nu-z.net

Historical Markers and Dedications

Historic Trail Marker for the William Bartram Trail, erected by the Oleander District of the Garden Club of Georgia in cooperation with the Garden Club of Georgia, Inc. and the City of Savannah.		Historic Trail Marker for the William Bartram Trail, erected by the State Botanical Garden of Georgia in cooperation with the Garden Club of Georgia, Inc., located inside the entrance to the State Botanical Garden, Athens, Clarke County.
At the dedication for the Historical Marker at Oakland Cemetery, from left to right: Terry Waith, Dogwood Co-Director; Lisa Robinson, Former Dogwood Director; JoAnn Jones, Dogwood Director; Sara Lanier, GCG President; Barbara Taylor, former Dogwood Director; Christy Crisp, Director of Programs for the Georgia Historical Society; David Moore, Executive Director of Historic Oakland Foundation; May B. Hollis, Chairman of the Board of Historic Oakland Foundation; and Lee Dunn, Dogwood District Historic Marker Chairman and former Director.		After years of planning and fund raising . . . what a dedication! During the directorship of Barbara Taylor, Dogwood District sponsored a bulb sale to raise money for the installation of two markers. The Blue Star Marker in Douglasville was installed in 2007. Then on August 25, 2008 the Historical Marker at Oakland Cemetery was dedicated. Lee Dunn, Dogwood District Historic Marker Chairman worked closely with the Georgia Historical Society and Historic Oakland Foundation in order to make the installation of this marker a reality. The ceremony was attended by over 60 people. Following the dedication ceremony, attendees congregated at the visitor's center for delicious refreshments provided by several garden clubs. HOF Volunteers offered an interesting guided tour of Oakland Cemetery.