HistoricSiteMarkers
Postwar & Contemporary

Gold Star Memorial A tribute to Gold Star families

Turner County, Turner County, Georgia

Marker Inscription

Gold Star Memorial A tribute to Gold Star families whose loved one paid the ultimate price defending the United States of America sponsored by Camellia District Garden Clubs in cooperation with Georgia Department of Transportation and The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc.

Erected by National Garden Clubs, Inc.

The Story

The Gold Star Memorial program extends the garden clubs' Blue Star tradition to honor Gold Star families โ€” those who lost a loved one in military service. The term dates to World War I, when a family replaced the blue star in its service flag with a gold one after a death in uniform. Sponsored by the Camellia District Garden Clubs with the Garden Club of Georgia and the state transportation department, this marker stands in south-central Georgia's Turner County.

Why it matters

Gold Star markers give lasting public form to the nation's oldest symbol of military sacrifice, honoring the families who bore war's ultimate cost.

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Themes & tags

Military & WartimeMemorial

Nearby & related markers

Blue Star Memorial Highway

Turner County, GA

The Blue Star Memorial, launched in 1945 by the National Garden Clubs, marks American highways in tribute to the armed forces, the blue star recalling the service flags of wartime families. In Turner County the Rose Garden Club of Ashburn joined the Garden Club of Georgia and the state transportation department to place this marker. It honors all who have defended the nation.

Blue Star Memorial Highway

Turner County, GA

Begun in 1945 by garden clubs across the country, the Blue Star Memorial honors the armed forces along American highways, its emblem drawn from the blue-star service flags of World War II. This Turner County marker, dated 1974, was sponsored by the Garden Club of Georgia, the state transportation department, and the Tifton Garden Club. It dedicates the highway to all who have defended the United States.

Blue Star Memorial Highway

Crisp County, GA

The blue star at the heart of these markers comes from the service flags of World War II, when a blue star stood for a family member in uniform. Garden clubs launched the Blue Star Memorial Highway program in 1945 and spread it across the country as a tribute to the armed forces. This marker near Cordele was placed by the Garden Club of Georgia with the local Cordele Garden Club.

Blue Star Memorial Highway

Crisp County, GA

Blue Star Memorial Highways honor the men and women of the armed forces with a symbol drawn from the service flags of World War II. Launched by garden clubs in 1945 and sustained ever since in cooperation with state transportation departments, the program dedicates highways nationwide as tributes to those who served. This Crisp County marker was sponsored by the Camellia District with the Garden Club of Georgia.