Marker Dedicated to the Brave Men and Women who Fought Overseas

(October 22, 2015) – Today, the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) joined members of the District V Federated Garden Clubs of Maryland (FGCMD) to dedicate a Blue Star Memorial marker at the westbound I-70/South Mountain Welcome Center in Frederick County. The Blue Star Memorial was dedicated to all those who fought in foreign wars.

“This has been a meaningful and rewarding project for our District V of the Federated Garden Clubs of Maryland,” said Carolyn Braverman of the Federated Garden Clubs of Maryland. “We are pleased that after two years we are able to pay tribute to our veterans with this beautiful memorial marker.”

SHA crews installed the marker on Monday, October 19 at the South Mountain Welcome Center. FGCMD’s cost for the manufacturing of the marker was $1,410.

 

“We owe a debt of gratitude to the men and women who serve our county valiantly and having the Blue Star Memorial marker at an SHA facility is an honor,” said SHA Administrator Gregory Johnson, P.E. “The District V of the Federated Garden Clubs of Maryland is a wonderful partner in this endeavor.”

The Blue Star was an icon in World War II.The star was featured on flags and banners on homes that had family members fighting in the war.

Starting back in the mid-1940’s, national garden clubs sought out ways to honor service members. A living memorial, rather than stone monuments, was the initial concept of the Blue Star Memorial program. The first living dedication occurred in New Jersey in 1944. Garden clubs planted flowering Dogwood trees along highways and transitioned into installing markers at highly visible areas. To date, there are more than 2,300 markers honoring America’s veterans across the United States.

District V of FGCMD covers Western Maryland, including Howard, Carroll, Frederick, Washington, Allegany and Garrett counties and is affiliated with the National Garden Clubs, Inc.