Garden Club of Ohio Inc.
interested in beautifying the highways across America, and other chosen locations such as parks, civic and historical grounds, National (Veteran) Cemeteries and Veterans Medical Center grounds with these living memorials. The name (Blue Star) was taken from the blue star in the World War II Service Flag and is the centerpiece of the memorial signs. The Service Flag was displayed in many homes as a tribute to the men and women serving in the Armed Forces during World War II. While the program originally began to honor World War II veterans, it was expanded in 1951 to include all men and women who had served, were serving, or would serve in the Armed Forces of the United States. Each time a Blue Star Memorial Marker is dedicated, we show our respect and appreciation for the members of the Armed Forces of the United States. The men and women in our Armed Forces fly our skies, sail our seas and guard our shores ensuring our safety. They stand ready at a moment’s notice to defend our country. The Blue Star Memorial is a very fitting memorial to honor these men and women and markers have been placed on highways from the Atlantic to the Pacific, Hawaii and Alaska. Currently, there are three types of markers being placed throughout America. The Blue Star Memorial Highway Marker is to be placed on a dedicated highway. The Blue Star Memorial Marker is to be placed on the grounds of a National Cemetery or Veterans Medical Center. The Blue Star By-Way Marker (replaces the Honor Park Marker) is to be placed in civic gardens, public parks or at historical sites. Ohio is proud to recognize Interstate 70 (running east and west across the state) as the Memorial Highway in the state. There are ten Blue Star Highway Markers on I-70, in addition to a marker on Interstate 75 and another one on Interstate 71 – both near Cincinnati, Ohio. Blue Star Honor Park Markers were first used following World War II in 1945 and there are eight Honor Park markers in Northern Ohio. This marker was replaced with the Blue Star By-Way Marker in 1981. Two of the current By-Way Markers have been placed in Cincinnati, Ohio during the past few years. The Blue Star Memorial Markers are used only at the Veterans Medical Centers or National (Veteran) Cemeteries of which Ohio has two. Dayton, Ohio has the oldest National Cemetery and the Garden Club of Ohio Dayton District is in the process of placing a Blue Star Memorial Marker at this location. Garden Club of Ohio Cincinnati District is in the process of placing a Blue Star Memorial Marker at the Veterans Medical Center in Cincinnati, Ohio. |
| National Garden Clubs Blue Star Memorial Markers |
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