Southern Humboldt Garden Club Rededicates Blue Star Memorial Marker Near Pepperwood

Press release from the Southern Humboldt Garden Club:

The newly installed Jordan Creek Blue Star Memorial By-Way Marker. Jan Duncan-Vaughn, Southern Humboldt Garden Club President; Ellin Beltz, Humboldt District President and Maria Krenek, California Garden Club, Inc. Blue Star Chairperson.

On Saturday, September 20th the Southern Humboldt Garden Club re-dedicated one of their Blue Star Memorial By-Way Markers located near Pepperwood, CA, at the north entrance to the Ave. of the Giants. This marker will replace the one installed by the S.H.G.C. in 1996. It needed to be replaced after it was vandalized and damaged beyond repair.The idea to install Blue and Gold Star markers began when a New Jersey Garden Club, in 1944, created a memorial to the men and women of the armed forces, past, present and future. The idea grew from the practice during World War I and World War II of hanging flags with blue stars in the windows of the households that had someone serving in the military. A gold star meant that the family had lost someone in the war. It was taken on as part of the mission of the National Garden Club in 1946 with Blue Star Highway Markers being installed across America. In 1981 the NGC expanded the program to include installing Blue Star Memorial By-Way markers in parks, historical sites and civic centers.

Humboldt County Garden Clubs have installed ten markers so far. At the rest stops on highway 101, just north of Trinidad are two Blue Star Highway Markers, one on each side. There are Blue Star Memorial By-Way markers in Trinidad, by the lighthouse; in Eureka at the foot of C St.; in Fortuna and Ferndale in front of the VFW halls; in Rio Dell in front of city hall. Southern Humboldt Garden Club has installed three markers; at Bull Creek Cemetery in 1988, in Garberville in 1999 and the one north of Pepperwood, the Jordan Creek Marker, installed in 1996.

The rededication ceremony included a Presentation of Colors by members of the Garberville and Fortuna VFW’s. The guests were welcomed by Jan Duncan-Vaughn, President of SHGC. A history of garden clubs and Blue Star markers was given by Maria Krenek, California Garden Clubs, Inc. Blue Star Chairperson for North. California. She also read remarks from Adele Kelly, CGCI President. Chuck Goodwin from Humboldt District and CGCI spoke and read remarks from Robin Pokorski, Pacific Region Garden Club Blue Star Chairperson. Other speakers included Alyssa Berry from Humboldt Redwoods State Park, Michelle Bushnell, and Gene Womack from the VFW who accepted the marker on behalf of all veterans.

Thanks were given to a number of people who helped make the marker’s replacement possible. The Veterans of Foreign Wars of Garberville and Fortuna, the American Legion, Humboldt Redwoods State Park, Humboldt Redwoods Interpretive Association, California Garden Clubs, Inc., Humboldt District Garden Club, 2nd District Supervisor Michelle Bushnell, Lonnie Whitlow who installed the new marker, and the members of Southern Humboldt Garden Club with special thanks to Margie Plant, Val Childs, Adele Andersen and Jeanne Johnson.

After the flag was retired by members of the VFW, and refreshments were served. Saturday’s dedication was a very beautiful and thoughtful program on a gorgeous fall day on the Avenue of the Giants.