Blue Star Memorial Highway A tribute to the Armed
Screven, Wayne County, Georgia
Marker Inscription
Blue Star Memorial Highway A tribute to the Armed Forces that have defended the United States of America sponsored by The Lily Garden Club, Screven, Georgia in cooperation with Georgia Department of Transportation and Oleander District The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc.
Erected by National Garden Clubs, Inc.
The Story
The Blue Star Memorial program began in 1945, when the New Jersey garden clubs planted dogwoods along a highway to honor service members returning from World War II; the blue star echoed the service flags that hung in the windows of homes with someone in uniform. The idea spread nationwide, and markers like this one in Screven, Georgia, were placed by local garden clubs in cooperation with state highway departments. This tribute was sponsored by the Lily Garden Club with the Georgia DOT and the Garden Club of Georgia.
Why it matters
The Blue Star network is one of the country's most widespread grassroots war memorials, a reminder that honoring service became a civic project carried out mile by mile by ordinary communities.
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Nearby & related markers
Blue Star Memorial Highway A tribute to the Armed
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The Blue Star Memorial Highway program started in 1945 and spread nationwide, honoring the armed forces with markers named for the blue-star service flags of the World War era. This marker in Hardeeville, South Carolina was sponsored by the Garden Club of South Carolina with the state highway department. It ties the Lowcountry into a coast-to-coast chain of remembrance.
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The Blue Star Memorial Highway idea started in 1945 with New Jersey garden clubs and spread across the country, drawing on the blue-star service flags of the World Wars to honor those in uniform. This Lake City, Florida marker was sponsored by District V of the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs with the Lake City Garden Club. It is one link in a highway-spanning chain of tributes.
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Brantley County
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