FORNEY, Texas — In recognition of all men and women who have served in the United States Armed Services, the City of Forney and the Forney Garden Club unveiled and dedicated a Blue Star Memorial marker at the Mick Spellman Amphitheater.
FORNEY, Texas — In recognition of all men and women who have served in the United States Armed Services, the City of Forney and the Forney Garden Club unveiled and dedicated a Blue Star Memorial marker at the Mick Spellman Amphitheater.
The dedication ceremony was held on Saturday morning before the second day of the inaugural Forney BBQ Cook-Off and Festival.
“The Blue Star Memorial Program honors all men and women that serve in the United States Armed Services,” according to the National Garden Clubs’ website. “This program began with the planting of 8,000 Dogwood trees by the New Jersey Council of Garden Clubs in 1944 as a living memorial to veterans of World War II.”
In 1945, the National Council of State Garden Clubs adopted the program and began a Blue Star Highway system which covered thousands of miles in the continental United States, Alaska, and Hawaii with the placement of large Blue Star Memorial highway markers.
The program has sine expanded to include dedication locations at National cemeteries, gardens, veterans’ facilities, and, as is the case in Forney, parks.
“The Blue Star became an icon in World War II and was seen on flags and banners in homes for sons and daughters away at war, and in churches and businesses,” stated the National Garden Clubs’ website. “This program has been active all through the years to the present, a fitting tribute to our Armed Forces and especially now.”
Members of the Forney ISD Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps presented the colors during the ceremony.
