Blue Star Marker Dedication
Eatonton, Georgia
On May 27, 2010 My Bride and I traveled to Eatonton, Georgia for another Blue Star Marker Dedication. This event was entitled "Celebrate Patriotism" a Pre-Memorial Day Program. After a picnic supper on the grounds of the Plaza Arts Center the dedication ceremony was held inside the Arts Center, which is a former School.
The Ceremony included a Military Band Concert performed by the 434th Signal Corps Band from Fort Gordon, Georgia.
The President of The Garden Clubs of Georgia,Inc. addressed the crowd and reminded us of the importance of the Blue Star Memorial Program. The over 13,000 Garden Club Members in the State of Georgia in 400 individual Clubs participate in this Nation Wide Program to Honor and also Remember our Nation's Heroes "Who Have Served, Who Are Currently Serving, and Those Who Will Serve In The Future" to defend the Freedoms we enjoy in our United States of America.
This is a replica of the Blue Star Memorial Marker. Shown here are the ladies of various Garden Clubs who participated in the Dedication Ceremony.
In addition to the Garden Club Ladies, several local Civic Leaders participated in the Ceremony. The event was conducted inside and was led by the former Commander of the Famed 48th Brigade of Georgia who is now retired. He led this Brigade during a tour of duty in Iraq. He is the individual behind the left end of the Marker Replica.
This is an image of the Memorial Marker in the Court House Square of Putnam County which is located in Eatonton, Georgia. The Marker is sponsored by the Town and Country Garden Club in cooperation with the Garden Clubs of Georgia, Inc. and Putnam County.
A lovely evening dedication with also featured a concert by the 434th Signal Corps Band. A very fitting and appropriate event to also include the Blue Star Memorial Marker Dedication event.
Today, June 13, 2010 members of the Middle Georgia Camera Club held a Field Trip to Indian Springs State Park as well as held a Picnic. This is a simple arrangement of Hydrangeas that I put together just before leaving for this fun event. I would encourage everyone to share their love of flowers with the members of the various organizations that they participate in as members.
The music for this dedication was provided by this group from the 434th Army Band stationed at Fort Gordon, Georgia.
The Fort Gordon Color Guard provided appropriate Honors for out Nation's Flag. 
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by these Girls From Girl Scout Troop 20011.
The lady in the center of this group is Marie Murray, a World War II Veteran. She and four other Army Nurses participated in the D-Day Landing in Europe. Additionally, She and the same four Nurses who were involved in D-Day rendered medical assistance to the Soldiers as they were engaged in the Battle of the Buldge. She is a member of the Azalea Garden Club and she placed a floral tribute at the base of this Marker. Ms. Murray is certainly a living legend and a World War II Hero. The Blue Star Marker Program Honors her, and all Veterans of all times as they served to allow the Freedoms that we all enjoy.
In addition to a view of the Marker, the ladies shown here are from left to right:
The Ceremony included a Military Band Concert performed by the 434th Signal Corps Band from Fort Gordon, Georgia.
The President of The Garden Clubs of Georgia,Inc. addressed the crowd and reminded us of the importance of the Blue Star Memorial Program. The over 13,000 Garden Club Members in the State of Georgia in 400 individual Clubs participate in this Nation Wide Program to Honor and also Remember our Nation's Heroes "Who Have Served, Who Are Currently Serving, and Those Who Will Serve In The Future" to defend the Freedoms we enjoy in our United States of America.
This is a replica of the Blue Star Memorial Marker. Shown here are the ladies of various Garden Clubs who participated in the Dedication Ceremony.
In addition to the Garden Club Ladies, several local Civic Leaders participated in the Ceremony. The event was conducted inside and was led by the former Commander of the Famed 48th Brigade of Georgia who is now retired. He led this Brigade during a tour of duty in Iraq. He is the individual behind the left end of the Marker Replica.
This is an image of the Memorial Marker in the Court House Square of Putnam County which is located in Eatonton, Georgia. The Marker is sponsored by the Town and Country Garden Club in cooperation with the Garden Clubs of Georgia, Inc. and Putnam County.
Part of the Dedication Ceremony involved the Junior Garden Club known as the Azalea Buds. They placed small rocks at the base of the Marker.
Here you see Garden Club ladies unveil the Memorial Marker. The Marker was sponsored in part by the ladies of two Garden Clubs - The Azalea Garden Club of Cuthbert/Shellman and The Camellia Garden Club of Cuthbert.
The Dedication was concluded with the playing of "Taps" and was certainly a fitting tribute to those Heroes who have gone on. As a Veteran of the U. S. Navy my heart swelled with pride as this Dedication Ceremony concluded.
