Submitted by Debby Walters, BBBGC
BALDWIN, WI – During World War II a Blue Star in a home indicated that a son or daughter was away at war serving their country while a Gold Star indicated a family that lost a loved one in service.
In 1945, the National Garden Club (NGC) began a Blue Star and Gold Star Marker program to recognize the men and women who have served our country, and it has continued throughout the years.
As a NGC member, the Botany Belles and Beaus Garden Club (BBBGC) proposed installing a Blue Star Marker Memorial to recognize all who have and are serving our country to the Baldwin American Legion and Auxiliary Post 240 and a partnership was created.
After much planning, the groups are ready to move forward with the project. The memorial will be in Windmill Park and the Village of Baldwin is helping with the project. The memorial will include the Blue Star Marker, a raised planter, a sidewalk and surrounding patio area, a bench, and flagpole similar to the attached photo.
To personalize and help fund the memorial, the public has the opportunity to purchase an engraved brick honoring a veteran or an important person in their life. The bricks will be included in the sidewalk leading up to the memorial. Two sizes of bricks are available, a 4” x 8” for $100 or an 8” x 8” for $150. The That’s My Brick company located in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin supplies the bricks, and the first order goes in on July 1, 2024.
If you are interested in purchasing a memorial brick, this is the website: thatsmybrick.com/bbbgardenclub or brochures are available at the Baldwin American Legion Post 240 or contact Ruth Anderson (715-222-1248) for ordering information.
The goal is to have the Blue Star Marker memorial dedicated this fall.
