Honoring Those Who have Served Our Country
The Blue & Gold Star Memorials Program honors all men and women that serve in the United States Armed Services. 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 this program and began a Blue Star Highway system that covers thousands of miles across the Continental United States, Alaska, and Hawaii. A large metal Blue Star Memorial Highway Marker was placed at appropriate locations along the way.
What we see today is a program that has expanded to include all men and women who had served, were serving, or would serve in the armed services of the United States. Memorial Markers and By-Way markers were added to the Highway Markers, to be used at locations such as National cemeteries, parks, veteran's facilities and gardens.
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. This program has been active all through the years to the present, a fitting tribute to our Armed Forces and especially now.
Details
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Ordering a New Blue Star or Gold Star Families Memorial Marker
Pricing: Effective through April 30, 2018
- Memorial / Highway Markers shipped with a 7' post, includes shipping: $1,530 per Marker.
- Byway Markers, includes UPS shipping: $510 per Marker
- Replacement posts: $325 per post
- Refurbish a Memorial or Highway Marker, includes round-trip freight (post not included): $800 per Marker.
- Cap repair and refurbish a Memorial or Highway Marker, includes round trip freight (no post included ): $900 per Marker.
- Extra freight shipping to the Western States for Memorial and Highway Markers only: $50 per Marker as noted below.
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Size, Weight and Shipping (especially Western USA)
Note: Because of the size and weight of these Markers, an additional freight cost to deliver these Markers to those states that are west of the states of MN, IA, MO , AR, and LA, an additional shipping charge of $50 per Marker must be added to the cost of $1,410 for a total cost of $1,460.
Allow eight weeks for delivery after Sewah Studios receives the application and check. In addition, if you have a specific dedication date, be sure to build in plenty of time to be certain you will have the Marker delivered by that dedication date and, in order for the Marker to be mounted and placed in the designated location in a timely manner.
Open and inspect the marker as soon as it is received. If the Marker is delivered to a business, impress on them that if the Marker is stored unopened, and later found to be damaged, Sewah Studios will NOT accept responsibility for the damage. It must be reported to Sewah Studios immediately.
After your Marker is installed, Sewah Studios suggests that the bolts be filed down so that they cannot be easily removed. It is unfortunate that some of the Markers have been stolen and sold for scrap.
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Highway and Memorial Marker Restoration
It is advisable that the older Highway and Memorial Markers in your state be checked and have the Markers re-furbished, if necessary. Sewah Studios, our Marker manufacturer, provides this service and may be called directly (740-373-2087) when refurbishment is necessary; or, there are other monument refurbishing companies such as Historical Markers Restoration, Mr. Tom Stelling @ 386-299-7841, and others, that provide this service as well. It is suggested that a professional company be used in order to ensure that that NGC Guidelines are being followed. ANY CHANGES IN COLOR OR ANY ADDITIONAL SIGNS OR ENSIGNIA’S BE PLACED ON THE MARKER OR POLE IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. THESE MARKERS ARE APPROVED BY THE CONGRESS AND THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AND ARE NOT TO BE ALTERED IN ANY FASHION BY A GARDEN CLUB OR ANY OTHER ORGANIZATION.
By-Way Markers
By-way Markers cannot be refurbished. If replacement is necessary, then a new Marker must be ordered. Please Note: Restoration is the ONLY time that clubs may call Sewah Studios directly. All other calls go directly to the National Garden Club Blue Star and Gold Star Families Chairman.
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Want a Marker but Can't Afford the Cost?
Suggestions for clubs that want to dedicate a Marker or refurbish an existing one, but cannot afford the cost:
- Contact your local Veteran's organizations, i.e. American Legion, VFW, DAV, etc. These organizations honor and respect these Markers and show their appreciation by helping financially. Be sure to invite them to take part in your Dedication Ceremony.
- Invite local high school students, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, etc. to assist you with this project; it will be an educational experience that they will never forget.
Resources and Order Forms
For more information, contact:
Pam Dowd,
Chairman: NGC Blue & Gold Star Memorials
NGC Awards for Blue Star & Gold Star Families Markers
Note: This award is for landscaping, NOT the dedication ceremony.
Blue Star & Gold Star Families Memorial Landscaping
Certificates of Merit may be awarded for the most outstanding Blue Star OR Gold Star Families Memorial
Marker landscaping projects. The Marker and landscaping may be part of a highway department rest area maintained by the department. The project may have been continuous, but major landscaping must be completed within two years. The project may be a replacement of a destroyed or long neglected landscape. (SEE AWARDS LIST FOR COMPLETE RULES)
1. (Award L-1) BLUE STAR OR GOLD STAR MEMORIAL HIGHWAY MARKER
- A. Single member garden club ‐ i small club, ii medium club, iii large club
- B. Group of member clubs councils, districts, etc.
- C. State Garden Club — i small club, ii medium club, iii large club
2. (Award L-2) BLUE STAR OR GOLD STAR FAMILIES MEMORIAL BY‐WAY MARKER
- A. Single member garden clubs — i small club, ii medium club, iii large club
- B. Group of member clubs councils, districts, etc.
- C. State Garden Club — i small club, ii medium club, iii large club
3. (Award L-3) BLUE STAR OR GOLD STAR FAMILIES MEMORIAL MARKER at a National Cemetery, Veterans Facility or other civic location
- A. Single member garden club — i small club, ii medium club, iii large club
- B. Group of member clubs councils, districts, etc.
- C. State Garden Club i small club, ii medium club, iii large club
Categories by Size
GARDEN CLUB applications shall be judged according to size determined by number of members on whom NGC and state dues are paid, including Active, Associate, Inactive, Honorary, etc.
- i. small club: under 29 members
- ii. medium club: 30‐99 members
- iii. large club: oven 100 members
STATE GARDEN CLUBS applications shall be judged according to size determined by number of members on whom NGC dues are paid, including Affiliates, State Life Members, etc.
- i. small club: under 1999 members
- ii. medium club: 2000‐5999 members
- iii. large club: over 6000 members
Scale of Points for All NGC Awards
(Exceptions: Publications and Communications, Flower Shows Achievement)
Presentation 5 pts ‐ neat, concise, includes all required information, not to exceed 3 pages.
Achievement 65 pts ‐ scope of project, need and fulfillment, benefit, accomplishment, comprehensiveness of work, activities to attain goals, evaluation of goals reached, educational, prior planning, very brief history if continuing project, financial report, other.
Participation 15 pts ‐ size of club; involvement of: members, community, government agencies, professionals, youth, residents in facilities, others.
Record or Documentation 15 pts ‐ supporting data (as applicable), clear well‐labeled and neatly attached before and after photographs, landscape plan, financial report, letters of appreciation, community awards, newspaper/magazine articles, radio or TV script, etc. Photocopies are permitted.
The AWARDS YEAR is January 1 to December 31 annually. Application forms and further information may be obtained from the NGC website, the State Awards Chairman, State Blue Star Chairman or NGC Blue Star Chairman.