Contact: Harriet Laird

STARKVILLE, Miss.—A first marker of its kind on a college or university campus in the Magnolia State is being unveiled next week at Mississippi State as a reminder of sacrifices made by the nation’s military personnel.

The university’s G.V. “Sonny” Montgomery Center for America’s Veterans is dedicating a Blue Star Memorial marker on Tuesday [Oct. 18] at 1 p.m. at Nusz Hall, 250 Bailey Howell Drive. Open to the public, the ceremony is hosted by the Garden Clubs of Mississippi, Inc. and a reception follows.

“I can’t think of a better location than the front lawn of Nusz Hall and the Center for America’s Veterans to place the first Blue Star Memorial on a Mississippi university campus,” said Brian Locke, center director. “It will be a lasting tribute to all those who have ever served in our Armed Forces.”

Established in 1944 when 8,000 dogwood trees were planted along New Jersey’s Route 29 by the state’s garden club, the Blue Star program’s name was derived from the blue-star insignia displayed at homes of those with family members serving in World War II. The next year, the National Council of State Garden Clubs, Inc. adopted the program and began placing the highway and byway markers that continue to be erected nationwide.

Several members of the Garden Clubs of Mississippi, Inc. are taking part in the dedication, including Pat Young, president, and Nancy Moore, Blue Star Memorial chair. Members of the Starkville Garden Club will be in attendance and MSU’s Army/Air Force ROTC Color Guard will present the colors. MSU President Mark E. Keenum and Vice President for Student Affairs Regina Hyatt will participate in the unveiling.

For more information, find MSU’s center at www.veterans.msstate.edu or call 662-325-6719.

MSU is Mississippi’s leading university, available online at www.msstate.edu.