Gold Star Marker/Blue Star Marker Dedication in Macon, Georgia 17 September 2016

 

Memorial Marker Dedications

Saturday, September 17, 2016

The First Gold Star Memorial

Marker in Georgia

along with a Blue Star Memorial

Marker

 

These Dedications were conducted in Rosa Parks Square across from the Government Center in downtown Macon, Georgia.  To the East of this Park is the Macon Armory Building, home of the Macon Volunteers which was constructed in 1885.  This is the perfect setting for Memorial honoring Our Nation's Heroes and also the Families who have lost loved Heroes.

 

 

Set up for the dedication.  The Markers are covered for the unveiling.
The Government Center in the background.

The Color Guard was provided by the Georgia Army
National Guard 48th IBCT. 

The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc. Blue Star Marker Chairperson, Jan Thiese
Welcomes all participants and guests.

The Invocation for the Dedication Ceremony was
given by Rabbi Larry Schlesinger
Macon-Bibb County Commissioner

This picture and the next one show the Markers ready to be
unveiled.

Members of the Central High School Glee Club await the time
to Sing the National Anthem.  This group is Directed by
Isaac Gibson

Members of the Patriot Guard Riders provided the Avenue of
U. S. Flags and the Service Flags.

The Color Guard ready to perform.

Patti Smith, President, America's Gold Star Families
addressed the attendees.

Andrea Little, Chairman of the National Garden Club's Blue
Star Memorial Marker Program addressed the attendees.

The Medal of Honor Memorial honoring
Sgt. Rodney Maxwell Davis

Gordon Davis, Brother of USMC Sgt. Rodney Maxwell
Davis, Medal of Honor Recipient addressed the attendees.

The Chairman of the National Garden Club's Blue Star Marker
Program provides Certificates to the Marker's Major Sponsors

The Atlanta Postal Credit Union
The Federated Garden Clubs of Macon, Inc.
 in cooperation with
The Macon-Bibb County
The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc.

The Unveiling of the Gold Star Memorial Marker.

The acceptance of both Markers was performed by Macon-Bibb
Commissioner Mallory Jones

The Tribute of Flowers for each Marker was placed by
Gena and Bob Courtney
Proud Parents of USMC Sgt. Kelley Lance Courtney (KIA)
and
USMC SSgt. Donovan Eugene Courtney

The program was concluded with the singing of the following words
from the U. S. Navy Hymn, "Eternal Father" by Alan F. E. Thiese:

"Lord, guard and guide the men who fly
And those who on the ocean ply;
Be with our troops upon the land,...
And all who for their country stand:
Be with these guardians day and night
And may their trust be in thy might."

A group picture of all the participants for the Dedication.

The Chairman of the National Garden Clubs, Blue Star Marker
Program, The President of America's Gold Star Families and the President
of the Garden Club of Georgia, Inc.

The Families of the Gold Star Heroes along with
Patti Smith, on the left and Andrea Little.

Members of the Davis Family.

Gena and Bob Courtney

The Gold Star Memorial along with the Wreath.

The Blue Star Memorial along with the Wreath.

Macon-Bibb also had the Government Center (formerly the
Macon City Hall) appropriately adorned for the Dedication
Ceremony.

This is a view of the Rosa Parks Square with the Markers and the
Medal of Honor Memorial and our Flag with the City Auditorium
in the background.