Blue Star Memorial Marker unveiled in Havre

The 19th Blue Star Memorial Marker in Montana, commemorating the men and women of the U.S. Armed Services, was unveiled in Havre's Memorial Park Wednesday afternoon.

The Blue Star Memorial Program has existed for 65 years through the national garden clubs, nonprofit gardening educational organizations with members across the nation, including in Montana.

Bullhook Blossoms Garden Club President Jody Olson welcomed the many civilians and veterans in attendance.

"This is our sincere attempt at honoring all veterans past and present and future," Olson said.

Members of the the Montana Army National Guard presented the colors and Deacon Tim Maroney of St. Jude Thaddeus Church gave an invocation.

A representative from Sen. Steve Daines' office, Robin Baker, told the crowd the senator wished he could be there.

"He is very proud to have veterans on his staff, and I am one of those," Baker said. "He is in there with what we say here in the state and takes it to Washington."

Montana Federation of Garden Clubs President Linda Sadler gave a brief history of the Blue Star Marker.

A guideline book by the National Garden Clubs Inc. says national garden clubs were looking for suitable ways to honor service men and women after World War II.

"Garden Club members visualized a living memorial, preferring to help beautify and preserve the country these men and women had fought for, rather than build stone monuments in their honor," the guideline book says.

In 1944, two Garden Club members suggested planting 1,000 dogwood trees along five miles of a New Jersey highway, which had been designated as the Blue Star Drive by legislators.

"The project was named for the blue star in the service flag, which hung in the windows of homes and businesses that honor service men and women."

Garden clubs across the nation began purchasing markers and planting materials. What originally began as a way to honor World War II veterans expanded in 1951 to include all men and women serving in the U.S. Armed Services.

Blue Star Committee Co-chairs Gloria Tilleman and Janice Brady-Bergren unveiled the Blue Star Memorial, followed by a dedication by Blue Star Marker State Chairman Kathy Austin.

Austin read the anonymously written poem "It is the Veteran."

"It is the Veteran, not the preacher, who has given us freedom of religion," Austin read.

"It is the Veteran, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press. It is the Veteran, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech. It is the Veteran, not the campus organizer, who has given us freedom to assemble. It is the Veteran, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial. It is the Veteran, not the politician, who has given us the right to vote. It is the Veteran, who salutes the Flag. It is the Veteran, who serves under the Flag, To be buried by the flag, So the protester can burn the flag."

Mayor Tim Solomon said he would try to be short in his address, as he didn't want to hold the rain up. Dark, sometimes rumbling, clouds had been threatening all afternoon.

Solomon thanked the Bullhook Blossoms Garden Club for putting the memorial together.

"It's a huge improvement to a nice park," he said.

Hill County Commissioner Mark Peterson thanked all the veterans.

The memorial ended with a benediction by Maroney and taps being played by Havre High School band members.