The Blue Star Program and Gold Star Families memorials explained.
Teresa Smith, SAR Blue Star & Gold Star Memorial Chair
595 Wolfgang Road
Rock Cave, WV 26234
304-516-6541
Teresasmith1965@gmail.com
Which one is right for your garden club and community?
Blue Star Program honors all men and women that serve in the United States Armed Services. 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 (now NGC, Inc.) adopted this program and began a Blue Star Highway system that covers thousands of miles across the Continental United States, Alaska, and Hawaii. Blue Star Memorial Highway Markers were placed along the way. The Blue Star was adopted because it had become 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.
Gold Star Families is a non-profit organization created to provide support to those who have lost a loved one in service to our country through the United States Armed Forces. Their mission is to offer honor, hope and healing through remembering fallen heroes by coming together. The name Gold Star came from the custom of families of service members hanging a banner called a service flag in the window of their homes. The service flag had a star for each family member in the United States Armed Forces. Blue Stars represented living service members while a Gold Star represented those who had lost their lives. NGC clubs work with Gold Star Families to honor our fallen heroes with Gold Star Markers.
To be included in the SAR Blue Star and Gold Star Memorial Marker location list; Please send a list of the locations of your Blue Star and Gold Star memorial markers, your club name and contact information to Teresa Smith by 12/31.