Sunday, November 12, 2017

 
 
Blue Star Memorial Marker
Dedication
Honoring with Grateful Hearts
Those Who Defend Our Freedom
 
Sponsored by
The Garden Center of Valdosta, Inc.
and
Camellia District Garden Clubs
in cooperation with
The Georgia Department of Transportation
and
The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc.
This Marker was dedicated on Saturday
11 November 2017.  It is located at the
Georgia Visitor Information Center
Interstate 75 North of the
Florida-Georgia State Line

A Very Appropriate Event for
Veterans Day 2017

An example of the Blue Star that a Family
of a Military Member that is serving the USA.
This symbol was first used during
World War II

The Blue Star Memorial Marker Chairman
The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc. Jan Thiese
started the Dedication with a Welcome
to All Attendees

The Color Guard from
Valdosta State University
Air Force ROTC prior to the
Presentation of Colors

The Dedication Attendees

The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc.  President Jane Hersey
also Greeted the Attendees

Helen Huddlestone, Camellia District Director
The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc.
delivered a Welcome

The Invocation by Mr. Edwin Blalock

The Presentation of the Colors and the
Pledge of Allegiance and The
National Anthem

Rita Hightower, President
The Valdosta Garden Center, Inc.
Introduced the Speaker
 

The Dedication Speaker
Colonel Allan A. Ricketts
United States Army
Retired

The Youngest Attendee at full Attention
to the Speaker


The History of the Blue Star Memorial Program
was presented by Martha Price
Blue Star Memorial Marker Co-Chairman
National Garden Clubs, Inc.

The Presentation of Certificates to the Marker Sponsors.
Each Sponsor was given a Certificate from the
National Garden Clubs, Inc.

The following Garden Club Members as they prepared for
the unveiling:
Martha Price, Jane Hersey, Rita Hightower and Helen Huddleston

The Unveiling

Hilda Seymore accepted the Marker on
behalf of the Georgia Department of Economic
Development and the Georgia
Department of Transportation

Helen Huttleston and Rita Hightower
Place the Tribute Wreath


The Dedication Closing Prayer -  an appropriate
verse from "Eternal Father" was sang by Chief Petty Officer
Alan F. E. Thiese, U. S. Navy, Retired


A representative of the Patriot Guard Riders
also attended the Dedication

The Group Picture of the Dedication Participants

The National Blue Star Marker Co-Chairman, Martha Price
The Blue Star Memorial Marker Chairman, the Garden
Club of Georgia, Inc. Jan Thiese and
Susi Keller, Blue Star Memorial Marker Co-Chairman
the Garden Club of Georgia, Inc.

These two Veterans also attended the Dedication.
They were tourist who happened to stop by
the Georgia Visitor Information Center

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