|
First lady Patricia Blagojevich dedicates Blue Star Memorial on
'Veterans Day' at the state fair 
Send a link to a friend
Blue Star Memorial honors all Illinois servicemen and
women
[August 14, 2007]
SPRINGFIELD -- Surrounded by veterans and their families on
"Veterans Day" at the Illinois State Fair on Sunday, Illinois first
lady Patricia Blagojevich joined U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, Acting
Secretary of the Illinois Department of Transportation Milton Sees,
Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs Director Tammy Duckworth,
Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Chuck Hartke and The
Garden Clubs of Illinois to dedicate a Blue Star Memorial in honor
of all those who have served or are currently serving in the United
States armed forces.
|
|
 "The brave men and women who have served our country deserve to
be respected and honored for their sacrifices," said Mrs.
Blagojevich. "It is only appropriate that today, on Veterans Day at
the state fair, we honor these servicemen and women with the
dedication of this Blue Star Memorial."
The Blue Star Memorial unveiled Sunday was on display during
Veterans Day at the Lincoln Stage and then was to be moved
permanently to the first lady's tent at the fair. The large carved
stone will be available for all to view year-round, paying tribute
to those in the armed forces.
"Our veterans have served this country bravely and honorably. We
must always remember those who came before us, who fought for our
freedoms, and not forget those who are still fighting for us today,"
said Duckworth. "The state of Illinois honors those men and women
and their families today, on Veterans Day at the state fair, with
this Blue Star Memorial."
The Blue Star Memorial program began in 1945 after World War II
as a way for garden clubs to honor the men and women who served in
the war. The goal was to help beautify and preserve the country the
brave servicemen and women had fought for. The Blue Star was chosen
as the name because it represents the star on flags displayed in
homes and businesses denoting a family member serving in the armed
forces. A uniform marker was designed to identify the designated
Blue Star Memorial Highways.
"The Blue Star Memorial Marker being dedicated today, Sunday,
Aug. 12, 2007, at the Springfield Fairgrounds is a project started
by The National Garden Clubs Inc. in 1945 to honor the men and women
serving in the United States military. Now it has been expanded to
honor all men and women who have served in the past, now serving and
those who will serve in the future," said Jody Bailey, president of
The Garden Clubs of Illinois. "It is my great honor as president of
The Garden Clubs of Illinois Inc. to participate in a program
honoring our brave men and women. May God bless them all."
[to top of second column]
 |
 Today, there are 121 Blue Star Memorials on the highways and
byways of Illinois. The Illinois Department of Transportation
authorized the Blue Star Memorial Highways in Illinois in 1950 and
helps to assist with marker placement, installation, landscaping and
restoration of markers throughout Illinois.
"The Illinois Department of Transportation is very proud to
support the first lady and the Garden Clubs of Illinois on Veterans
Day in this effort to recognize the brave men and women who go in
harm's way to protect our way of life," said Sees. "The Blue Star
Memorials along our highways and byways are a daily reminder of the
sacrifices made by our servicemen and women and their families."
The Blue Star Memorial program has grown to extend thousands of
miles across the United States. Markers continue to be dedicated
each year on highways, facilities for veterans, national cemeteries,
parks, and civic and historic sites.
The first lady has worked closely with the Garden Clubs of
Illinois on her Wildflowers for Illinois project, which was launched
in 2003. The program is managed by the Department of Transportation
and consists of two separate initiatives: Wildflowers for Illinois
Gateways, which has resulted in restoring almost 200 acres of
prairie, primarily along roadways at state borders; and Wildflowers
for Illinois Communities, in which the department has partnered on
beautification projects with 33 municipalities around the state.
[Text from file received from
the
Illinois Office of
Communication and Information]
 |
