Letter From Blue Star Chairman Nancy Love
I am Nancy Love the LGCF Blue Star Marker Chairman for 2025-2027. I want to give you a brief overview of the program for those that do not know the history. The Blue Star Memorial Marker Program of the National Garden Clubs, Inc. began in 1945 to honor the men and women serving in the Armed Forces during World War II.
The Blue Star Memorial Program grew to extend thousands of miles across continental U.S., Alaska, and Hawaii. All men and women who have served, are serving, or will serve in the Armed Forces of the United States are included. These markers are designed to pay tribute to the Armed Forces as a whole.
Markers continue to be dedicated each year on highways, Veterans’ facilities, National Cemeteries, parks, and civic and historic sites, showing our appreciation for those who defend our country.
In the last couple of years, the LGCF placed Blue Star Markers at every Louisiana Veterans Cemetery. As of October 2025, Louisiana has approximately 115 Blue/Gold Star Markers across the State.
We currently have three new marker applications in process and one re-dedication:
*A garden club votes to have a marker. An appropriate location is selected and the type of marker for that location is chosen.
*Contact the State Blue Star Memorial Chairman for forms instructions.
*Contact local or state authority responsible for location.
*Send order form and check to State Blue Star Memorial Chairman for processing.
*Clubs may solicit other civic organizations to help with funding, construction, planting, and maintenance. MORE DETAILS CAN BE OBTAINED BY CONTACTING ME, NANCY LOVE, OR FOUND ON THE NGC WEBSITE
The Blue Star Memorial Program grew to extend thousands of miles across continental U.S., Alaska, and Hawaii. All men and women who have served, are serving, or will serve in the Armed Forces of the United States are included. These markers are designed to pay tribute to the Armed Forces as a whole.
Markers continue to be dedicated each year on highways, Veterans’ facilities, National Cemeteries, parks, and civic and historic sites, showing our appreciation for those who defend our country.
In the last couple of years, the LGCF placed Blue Star Markers at every Louisiana Veterans Cemetery. As of October 2025, Louisiana has approximately 115 Blue/Gold Star Markers across the State.
We currently have three new marker applications in process and one re-dedication:
- A Gold Star and a Blue Star Memorial Marker in at a new Memorial Garden in Rayne, sponsored by the Rayne Garden Club
- A Blue Star Marker in at the Northwest Veterans Home in Bossier City installed by Keep Bossier Beautiful and sponsored by Farmerville Garden Club.
- The Marksville Garden Club has placed an application for a Gold Star Marker at The Veterans’ Memorial Walkway located at 128 Garlington Cutoff Road, Effie, LA
- There was also a re-dedication of a marker by the Azalea Garden Club at the new Loreauville City Hall on May 29, 2026.
*A garden club votes to have a marker. An appropriate location is selected and the type of marker for that location is chosen.
*Contact the State Blue Star Memorial Chairman for forms instructions.
*Contact local or state authority responsible for location.
*Send order form and check to State Blue Star Memorial Chairman for processing.
*Clubs may solicit other civic organizations to help with funding, construction, planting, and maintenance. MORE DETAILS CAN BE OBTAINED BY CONTACTING ME, NANCY LOVE, OR FOUND ON THE NGC WEBSITE
Re-Dedication at Loreauville Town Hall
By Azalea Garden Club
Margaret Melancon, Linda Beyt, Paul Hermann, Sherry Darcey
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Loreauville Town Hall Site
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District III Director Linda Beyt with Azalea Garden Club Members
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Loreauville Town Hall By-Way Marker
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Tibi Hebert, Town Clerk, Welcome Address
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Linda Beyt, District III Director
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Blue Star Memorial Program
Current Revised Listing
As of October 2025
New Grant Opportunity: Beautify Your Memorials
LGCF Blue Star Memorial By-Way Marker Rededication
April 7, 2025
Thanks to the many who have contributed photos to make this event more memorable!
January 17, 2025
With the newly dedicated Blue Star Marker at Bucktown Park are JPCGC Historian Coleen Perilloux Landry, District II Director Susan Finney, LGCF President Patricia Ortalano, JPCGC Co-presidents Elizabeth McDougald and Val Moscana and LGCF Blue Star Marker chairman Roxanna Champagne.
Participating in the dedication of a Blue Star Marker at Bucktown Park in Metairie are presidents of the Louisiana Garden Club Federation, from left Past President Roxanne Champagne , President Patricia Ortalano and Past President Mary Jacob. The Marker is sponsored by the Jefferson Parish Council of Garden Clubs.
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COLEEN PERILLOUX LANDRY: I was asked to give a history of the Blue Star Marker. So, I told first hand of the Stars on my Mother's window in World War II for my 3 brothers who were in World War II. I was 5 years old when War was declared. I also told a little of Reed in Okinawa and Japanese etc. and how Reed had taught me to salute the Stars. And, how I saluted his casket in June when he died at 100 years old. I got through the speech......I think a human touch adds to the cold metal of the Marker. |
Blue Star Memorial Marker Program
New Orleans LA
The Blue Star Memorial Marker Program of the National Garden Clubs, Inc. began in 1945 to honor the men and women serving in the Armed Forces during World War II. The name was chosen for the star on flags displayed in homes and businesses denoting a family member serving.
Garden clubs pictured a ribbon of living memorial plantings traversing every state.
The designation of Blue Star Highways was achieved through petitions to the state legislatures and cooperation with the Departments of Transportation. A uniform marker was designed to identify the Highways.
The Blue Star Memorial Program grew to extend thousands of miles across continental U.S., Alaska, and Hawaii. All men and women who have served, are serving, or will serve in the Armed Forces of the United States are included.
Markers continue to be dedicated each year on highways, Veterans’ facilities, National Cemeteries, parks, and civic and historic sites, showing our appreciation for those who defend our country.
No marker may bear an individual’s name. These markers are designed to pay tribute to the Armed Forces as a whole.
Garden clubs pictured a ribbon of living memorial plantings traversing every state.
The designation of Blue Star Highways was achieved through petitions to the state legislatures and cooperation with the Departments of Transportation. A uniform marker was designed to identify the Highways.
The Blue Star Memorial Program grew to extend thousands of miles across continental U.S., Alaska, and Hawaii. All men and women who have served, are serving, or will serve in the Armed Forces of the United States are included.
Markers continue to be dedicated each year on highways, Veterans’ facilities, National Cemeteries, parks, and civic and historic sites, showing our appreciation for those who defend our country.
No marker may bear an individual’s name. These markers are designed to pay tribute to the Armed Forces as a whole.
Procedure
*A garden club votes to have a marker. An appropriate location is selected and the type of marker for that location is chosen.
*Contact the State Blue Star Memorial Chairman for forms instructions.
*Contact local or state authority responsible for location.
*Send order form and check to State Blue Star Memorial Chairman for processing.
*Clubs may solicit other civic organizations to help with funding, construction, planting, and maintenance.
*Contact the State Blue Star Memorial Chairman for forms instructions.
*Contact local or state authority responsible for location.
*Send order form and check to State Blue Star Memorial Chairman for processing.
*Clubs may solicit other civic organizations to help with funding, construction, planting, and maintenance.
MORE DETAILS CAN BE FOUND ON THE NGC WEBSITE
