Iris-Elm Garden Club dedicates Blue Star Memorial ByWay Marker

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Published: Tuesday, 16 August 2016 19:50

WINAMAC - The Iris Elm Garden Club dedicated its new Blue Star Memorial ByWay Marker at the Winamac Freight Depot Sunday (Aug. 14).

Club member, David Zahrt was the master of ceremonies for the program.

A Blue Star ByWay Marker to honor the nation's Armed Forces was dedicated Sunday afternoon in Winamac,near the historic railroad freight depot. The new marker is a project of the Iris Elm Garden Club

In partnership with the Garden Clubs of Indiana’s state president Jodi Meyer, the Iris Elm Garden Club committed to installing the Blue Star Byway Marker to honor the country's military service men and women, as part of the state organization's 2016-17 initiatives.

The Blue Star Memorial program was named for the blue star in the service flag, which hung in windows of homes and businesses to honor soldiers during World War II. The program originated with the National Council of State Garden Clubs in 1945, and for over 65 years, the program has grown across all 50 states, honoring those who serve our nation in the past, present and future.

Boy Scout Troop 229 began Sunday's dedication with posting of the colors and pledge of allegiance. Larry Miller, retired Navy E-6, of Winamac gave the invocation and the benediction. The State Garden Club Blue Star chairman Jayne Kesler gave the history of the service flag which inspired the Blue Star Memorial Program. Luana Wetli, Blue Star Mothers of Indiana spoke on what it means to be a Blue Star Mother and read a tribute to the Blue Star Mothers. Jodi Meyer, state president of The Indiana Garden Clubs expressed her gratitude for the endeavors of the Iris Elm Garden Club project to install a Blue Star Marker.

David Zahrt introduced Maj. Gen. Richard Chastain, Retired, who gave the military tribute basing his remarks on patriotism and included a story on a local veteran, Sgt. Bill Butler.

Music was provided by Dereck Buckley that brought many to tears. When one of the guest expressed this to Dereck, his quote was “then I have done my job well.”

Nancy Wright, past president of Iris Elm GC was instrumental in beginning the process of placing a Blue Star Marker in Pulaski County. She and her husband, Louis an Air Force Veteran, unveiled the marker and Karen Fritz, club member placed the floral tribute on the marker with remarks from Darlene Fritz, club president, who also read the marker dedication. Courtney Poor, Winamac park board president, accepted the marker as part of the Winamac Park system.

David Zahrt gave the closing remarks and Boy Scout Troop 229 retrieved the colors while Matt White, Deputy with the White County Sheriff’s Department completed the program with the playing of Taps.

Refreshments were served in the main room of the freight station and approximately 60 to 75 people enjoyed the refreshments while viewing the Quilt of Valor display and State Sen. Ed Charbonneau’s 1944 US Steel Poster a “WWII Posters on the Home Front.” Also, on display was the Bleicher’s Family Coffin Flag and the poem “A Tribute to a Hero.”