Blue Star

Memorial Marker

Dedication Ceremony

4 March 2023

Shellman Bluff, Georgia

sponsored by

Spartina Garden Club

and

The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc.

in cooperation with

Friends of Shellman Bluff

Nancy Claxton, President

Spartina Garden Club

Welcomed Everyone and 

Senior Chief Missile Technician

Darin Collins 

from Kings Bay, Georgia

Naval Submarine Base

delivered the

Invocation

The Presentation of the Colors

was performed by the

Brunswick High School

Navy Junior ROTC Color Guard

The National Anthem

was performed by the

Third Army Infantry Division

Army Brass Quintet

Members of the Armed Forces and Veterans

were recognized in addition to local

Elected Officials

                                               "God Bless America" was sung by

a Spartina Garden Club Member

Faren Crews who also gave an

informative talk about Her Native Heritage

and what Native Americans 

have done in Service to the United

States of America

Jan Thiese, Chairman of the 

Blue Star and Gold Star Marker Programs

for the Garden Club of Georgia, Inc.

presented the History of the Marker

Program

                                                                Peggy Tucker

President of the

Garden Club of Georgia, Inc.

presented an overview of

the Blue Star Marker Program and

how it is one of the vital Club

programs throughout 

Georgia.

                                                    Genelda Reese, Director of

the Oleander District,

the Garden Club of Georgia, Inc.as well as

Hilda Rushing, Chairman

Oleander District

Blue Star Marker Program

delivered comments

about the Marker 

Program

                                                    The Keynote Speaker for the

Dedication was

Major James Grimshaw

Bronze Star and

Purple Heart Recipient

U.S. Army, Retired

                                                   Many local Citizens and Veterans 

attended this Dedication

                                                The Marker was Unveiled by

Nancy Claxton and Major James Grimshaw

with an assist by a member of

the Third Infantry Division Army Brass 

Quintet

                                                     The Marker was accepted by

William Harrell

McIntosh County Commissioner

and

Gray R. Smith

Friends of Shellman Bluff

"America the Beautiful" was

performed by the Third Infantry 

Division Brass Quintet

                                                          The Benediction was

delivered by Brad Butler,

Pastor Shellman Bluff

Baptist Church

                                                   TAPS 

was played to 

Conclude the Dedication

                                      National Garden Club

Certficates were

presented to the Marker

Sponsors

 Blue Star Memorial

Marker Dedication 

3 March 2023

Rest Area # 88

I-16

Between Dublin. Georgia

and

Macon, Georgia

sponsored by the

Camellia District 

and the

Georgia Department of

Transortation.

Peggy Tucker, President of the

Garden Club of Georgia, Inc.

Welcomed Everyone!

The Presentation of the Colors 

was conducted by the

Dublin High School

Air Force ROTC.

The West Laurens Middle School

Choir Sang the

National Anthem.

The Speaker for this Dedication was

Jonathan Jackson

U. S. Army Veteran who

is the Founder/Executive Director

of

STAG VETS INC. 

and Comfort Farms located 

in Milledgeville, Georgia.

He is focused on assisting Our 

Hero Veterans with their

return to Civilian Life!!

This History of the Blue Star Markers

was Presented by Susi Keller

Blu Marker Co-Chairman

Garden Club of Georgia

The Floral Tribute for this 

Dedication was presented by

the Erin Garden Club

Camelia District

The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc.

The following pictures

were from after the

Dedication.