Blue Star marker honors vets

HUNTINGTON -- The Huntington Veterans Affairs Medical Center was made the new home of the Blue Star Memorial Marker and Honor Memorial Garden on Saturday to recognize the sacrifices made by veterans.

The Ohio Guyan District of West Virginia Garden Clubs, which represents 21 clubs in seven counties, dedicated the state's 58th Blue Star Memorial Marker to honor the men and women who have served the country since World War II. The VA Hospital was chosen because of its dedication to serving veterans, said club director Ruth Ann Koch.

Veterans, politicians and service organization members attended the event.

A number of service organizations as well as businesses were credited with the helping bring the memorial and garden to the hospital.

"It takes a lot of people to do this project, and we appreciate it," Koch said.

The project was made possible through a grant from the West Virginia Landscape and Nurserymen's Association and contributions from local veterans and civic groups. The Honor Memory Garden was designed by Mark Springer of Lavalette Nursery. The garden features a number of spring flowers as well as a number of perennial plants that can be enjoyed year-round.

Edward Seiler, director of the VA Medical Center, said he is honored to have the Blue Star Marker and garden located in the front of the building. It is fitting, Seiler said, to have a memorial honoring veterans in front of a center that works every day to serve veterans.

Though the memorial marker in the garden simply reads, "A tribute to the Armed Forces that have defended the United States of America," Seiler said it means much more than that.

"This is to honor all veterans in all eras," Seiler said. "These are the men and women who have defended and won our freedoms. We indeed honor all our veterans."

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.