Blue Star Memorial Marker

Dedication Ceremony

November 11, 2021

Odum Recreation Center

Odum, Georgia

Sponsored By

Wayne County Garden Club Council

Oleander District Garden Clubs

In Cooperation With

The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc.

National Garden Clubs, Inc.

The City of Odum, Georgia

The Program for this Dedication included a list of Sixteen Heroes who were the Spouses of the Garden Club Members of the Wayne County Garden Club Council!

The following Pictures were taken prior to the start of the Dedication Ceremony.  Please also note that the event was held in the Recreation Center because of the possibility of rain.

This Marker was recently restored and is located near the Coastal Pines Technical College on Highway 341near Odum, Georgia

This is the Marker that was Dedicated!

The Garden Club Members who hosted the Reception

Debra M. Fenn, Wayne County Garden Club Council President Welcomed the attendees

The Invocation was given by Sergeant John Carter of the United States Army

The Colors were Presented by the Junior ROTC from Wayne County High School.  Chief Ted Marcus, Instructor

The Pledge of Allegiance followed the Presentation of the Colors.  

The National Anthem was performed by Lisa Yeomans, Music Minister, Jesup Presbyterian Church

June Thomas, Blue Star Chairman of the Council and the Odum Garden Club recognized the Special Guests

Jan Thiese, Chairman of the Blue Star and Gold Star Marker Program for The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc. presented the History and the Dedication of the Blue Star Marker

Remarks were made by Peggy Tucker, President of The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc.

Hilda Rushing, Blue Star Marker Chairman, Oleander District Garden Club also make Remarks.

The Dedicated Marker as well as two restored Markers were Unveiled

The Markers were accepted by

Kathy Rozier, Mayor Pro-Tem of Odum

Nick Harris, Mayor Pro-Tem of Jesup

Jason Weaver, Mayor of Screven

This was followed by the Presentation of Certificates to each of the Cities by Jan Thiese, Blue Star Marker Chairman for The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc.

The Tribute of Flowers was conducted by Jan Hediger, Regent,

Altamaha Chapter of the National Society of the

Daughters of the American Revolution

The Benediction was delivered by Major Richard J. Galloni, Retired

United States Air Force

The Closing Remarks were delivered by Debra M. Fenn

The following is quoted from the Program for this Dedication:

"Thank You for sharing this special time with us to honor our Veterans and all who serve in the United States Armed Forces.  Please join us for a reception in the Recreation Center."

The following pictures were taken after the Dedication:

 Blue Star Memorial

Marker

Dedication Ceremony

November 10, 2021

Camden County Visitor Tourism Center, Exit 1- Interstate 95 North

Sponsored by:

St. Marys Garden Club

and

The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc.

In Cooperation with the

Georgia Department of Transportation

The following Pictures were taken prior to the Ceremony:

The Dedication started with the Welcome and Recognition of Special Guest by the President of the St. Marys Garden Club - Elizabeth King.

The Invocation was led by Lieutenant Peter Agdamag a Chaplain if the Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Georgia.

The following is the Prayer:

"Let Us Pray - Lord we are gathered to ask a blessing on our tribute, a Blue Star Memorial Marker, to the service members that have gone before us, presently serving, and those who will voluntarily and publicly proclaim an oath to serve.  For this Blue Star represents the force, the fighting, and family behind and for every service member to be prepared for war for the goal of Peace.  That is our prayer, Father that the efforts The Garden Club of Georgia and this city, is for Visitors, who will pause for observance and ponder the sacrifice and find Peace on this entry and exit of our City, our County and our State,  This Blue Star might  put people on the Highway to You Father for the gratitude and recognition of all who bear true faith and allegiance to the same.  So Help Us God!!  Amen."

The Presentation of Colors was conducted by the Color Guard and Rife Team, Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Georgia.

The Pledge of Allegiance was led  by Able Cadet Mikayla Garner and Seaman Apprentice Maverick Garner of the U. S. Naval Sea Cadets and Camden Kings Bay Council of the Navy League of the United States after being introduced by Lieutenant Commander Barbara Johns

The National Anthem was performed by Mary Margaret McNeil, Camden County High School Course President - Miss Wildcat 2021

Remarks for the Ceremony were presented, first by the President of the Garden Club of Georgia, Inc. Peggy Tucker

Followed by Bobby Horton, City Manager, City of St. Marys

The Speaker for this Dedication was Vice Admiral Albert Konetzni (United States Navy - Retired)

The Dedication of the Marker was conducted by Jan Thiese, Chairman Blue Star and Gold Star Marker program, The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc.

The Marker was Accepted by Wesleigh Reaves, St. Marys Visitor Information Center Manager

The Dedication concluded with "Eternal Father" sung by Mary Margaret McNeil and the playing of "Taps."

The following is quoted from the Dedication Program:

"Thank You for sharing this special time with us to honor our Veterans and all who serve in the United States Armed Forces."

The following pictures were taken during the Ceremony

This attendee was in one of the first Companies of WAVES, U. S. Navy and served our Nation during World War II

The following pictures were taken after the Ceremony

The Officers pictured above were (left to right) The Commanding Officer, Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, The Master Chief Petty Officer of the Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay and the Chaplain who conducted the Invocation.