top of page

             Blue Star Marker

                                       Honoring Those Who have Served 

                                                       Our Country

 

  The Blue Star Memorial Program honors service men and women. This program began with the planting of 8,000 Dogwood trees by the New Jersey Council of Garden Clubs in 1944 as a living memorial to veterans of World War II. In 1945, the National Council of State Garden Clubs adopted the program 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.

 

  The program was expanded to include all men and women who had served, were serving or would serve in the armed services of the United States. Memorial Markers and By-Way markers were added to the Highway Markers, to be used 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. This program has been active all through the years to the present, a fitting tribute always and especially now.


 

Blue Star Marker Dedication
Mitchell 2017
Mitchell Area Garden Members
Blue Star Marker Dedication
Dell Rapids 2017
Members And
State President
Mary Lerssen

Margaret Straley, Blue Star Marker Chairman

Stands beside a roadside marker

 

   A Blue Star Memorial Marker that had been
restored and replaced in the fall of 2014
at Custer State Park.
 

Custer State Park  South Dakota

                 Marlene Ohnstad

                   Veterans Park

                  Sioux Falls,  SD

bottom of page