HomeMy WebLinkAboutBlue Star Marker Memo
Date: May 16, 2013
To: Parks, Recreation & Beautification Commission
From: Corey Delikat, Parks & Recreation Director
Subject: Port Angeles Garden Club- Blue Star Marker/Veterans Park
Summary: The Port Angeles Garden Club would like to purchase a Blue Star Memorial Marker and place it in Veterans Memorial Park. In 1945, the national Council of State Garden Clubs
adopted the program and began a Blue Star Highway System. The program was expanded to include all men and women who had served, were serving, or would serve in the armed forces 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.
Placing this marker at Veterans Park would be an appropriate location and fit in with the Blue Star Banner Program that runs along Lincoln Street.
Recommendation: Under the guidance of the Parks & Recreation Director, approve and allow the Port Angeles Garden Club to place a Blue Star Memorial Marker at Veterans Park, along with
a small planted area that would be maintained by the Garden Club.
Background/Analysis: The Port Angeles Garden Club would like to honor the service men and women of the United States by placing a Blue Star Memorial Marker at Veterans Park. 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 in appropriate locations to honor our veterans. 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, veterans’ facilities, and gardens. The Port Angeles Garden Club would be adding this Blue Star memorial Marker at Veterans Park, along with a small planted area that would be
maintained by the Garden Club. Bernice Cook and Mary Lou Paulson, President and Vice-President of the Port Angeles Garden Club, will be giving a presentation to the Commission at the
May 16, 2013 meeting.