Honoring Those Who Served Our Country
https://gardenclub.org/blue-and-gold-star-memorials
Blue Star Markers
The 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 Markers
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.
Blue and Gold Star Ordering Details
For more information on Blue and Gold Star Memorials, please contact Candace Wells, Blue & Gold Star Memorials Chairman.
Other Resources
- Guidelines for Memorial Markers
- Sample Resolution for Blue Star Highway Markers
- Dedication for Blue Star Memorials
- Dedication for Gold Star Family Memorial Markers
Marker Funding Ideas:
- Contact your local Veteran’s organizations, i.e. American Legion, VFW, DAV, etc. These organizations honor and respect these Markers and show their appreciation by helping financially. Be sure to invite them to take part in your Dedication Ceremony.
- Invite local high school students, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, etc. to assist you with this project; it will be an educational experience that they will never forget.
- Work with local Gold Star Families groups to fund Gold Star Markers.
Blue Star and Gold Star Markers by State
Are you looking for a Blue or Gold Star Marker in your state or in another part of the country? Search this listing to find all of the markers in each state along with the marker’s sponsor.
Blue and Gold Star Marker Types
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Blue Star Memorial Marker
Blue Star Memorial Markers are permitted on the grounds of National Cemeteries, VA Medical Centers and other civic locations approved by the NGC Blue/Gold Star Chair.
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Blue Star Memorial Highway Marker
Blue Star Memorial Highway Marker are permitted on highways and highway rest areas.
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Gold Star Memorial Marker
Gold Star Memorial Markers are permitted on the grounds of National Cemeteries, VA Medical Centers and other civic locations approved by the NGC Blue/Gold Star Chair.
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Blue Star By-Way Marker
Blue Star By-Way Markers are permitted in parks, historic sites and other civic locations.
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Gold Star By-Way Marker
Gold Star By-Way Markers are permitted in parks, historic sites and other civic locations.
Landscaping Awards for Blue & Gold Star Markers
Highway
Certificates of Merit and monetary awards may be given for the most outstanding Blue Star Memorial Highway Marker landscaping projects: single clubs, groups or states may apply.
By-Way
Certificates of Merit and monetary awards may be given for the most outstanding Blue Star OR Gold Star Families Memorial By-Way Marker landscaping projects: single clubs, groups or states may apply.
Civic
Certificates of Merit and monetary awards may be given for the most outstanding Blue Star OR Gold Star Families Memorial Marker landscaping projects at a National Cemetery, Veterans Facility or other civic location: single clubs, groups or states may apply.
What we see today is a program that has expanded to include all men and women who had served, are 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.
