Blue Star Memorial

Marker Dedication

Sponsored By

Azalea District

The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc.

and

Charles Elliott Wildlife Center

17 May 2019

"A tribute to honor all of those men and women who have served, are now serving, and will serve in the Armed Forces of the United States of America"

This dedication was very appropriate in that Saturday, May 18 is observed as Armed Forces Day in the United States of America.

The site for this Marker.  The captions for several pictures 

include the "WRD" which means "Wildlife Resources Division"

of the Department of Natural Resources,

State of Georgia

The attendees for this Dedication.  This was taken before

some arrived.

Molly Kimler, Immediate Past President Azelea

District Opened the Program

The Presentation of the Colors was conducted by the Department of 

Natural Resources Honor Guard

The National Anthem was performed by

Lanier Forster, a Garden Club of Georgia

Scholarship Recipient

Alan Isler of the WRD conducted the Invocation.

The Welcome and an overview of the life of Charles

Elliott was presented by Rusty Garrison, the WRD Director

The President of the Garden Club of Georgia, Inc. Barbara Bourque

 delivered Greetings on 

behalf of the Club.

Lonice Barrett, the Former DNR Commissioner

presented an informative speech which included

the efforts by former Garden Club of Georgia, Inc.

President, Dean Day Sanders to establish this

Wildlife Center

The History of the Blue Star Marker was presented

by Janice Thiese, Garden Club of Georgia, Inc.

Blue Star Marker Chairperson

Susi Keller, Blue Star Co-Chair presented the

Certificates of Appreciation to the Marker Sponsors

issued by the National Garden Club.

The Honor Guard attended the Ceremony.

The Marker was unveiled by

Jane Hersey - Immediate Past President of

the Garden Club of Georgia

Betty Davis - Former Azalea District Director

Jesse Burnette,- WRD, U.S. Army Veteran

The Tribute of Flowers was delivered to the Marker

by Noah Mauldin, Boy Scout of America, Cub Scout Pack 64

Den 6

Rusty Garrison, WRD Director Accepted the Marker

The Dedication of the Marker concluded with the 

performance of "America the Beautiful" performed by

Pete Griffin and Katie McCollum of the WRD

The President of the Garden Club of Georgia, Inc. and

the Wreath Bearer posed for this picture.

Garden Club Members involved with this Marker Dedication 

and Program.

Noah Mauldin with his Parents.

Noah Mauldin with his Parents and Grandparents.

The reception was catered by the Staff of

the Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center

Susi Keller, Janice Thiese and Barbara Bourque

at the Blue Star Memorial Marker

Blue Star Memorial

Marker Dedication

May 15, 2019

Augusta Council of Garden Clubs, Inc.

The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc.

and

Charlie Norwood VA

Medical Center

Fisher House

This Marker was placed in the Garden of the Fisher House so that Families staying there to be near their Loved One could also see that they and their Hero are Remembered by a Nation who appreciates them.

The veiled marker before the dedication.

Attendees at the Dedication

Mr. Jason Tudor, Public Affairs Officer

Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center

served as the Master of the Ceremony

The Welcome as presented by Mrs. Betty Davis of the

Augusta Council of Garden Clubs, Inc.

Barbara Bourque delivered Greetings on behalf

of The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc.

Chaplain Dr. G. Dianne Lewis of the

Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center conducted the

Invocation

The Pledge of Allegiance was let by

Molly Kimler, Immediate Past Azalea

District Director

The National Anthem was performed by

Mrs. Sheri Smith, Music Therapist

Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center

Officials from the Medical were recognized by Jason Tiudor

The Blue Star Memorial Chairman, The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc.

recognized the individuals from the Sponsoring

Organizations.

Mrs. Peggy Glover dedicated the Marker.  She is the current

Marker Chairman for the Augusta Council.

The Marker is unveiled.

The Wreath Laying was conducted by the Augusta Council of Garden

Clubs, Inc.

Individuals of the sponsoring organizations with

Certificates from the National Garden Club.

Garden Club Members involved in the Dedication.