On a cold and windy Veterans Day in November 2010, the Boothbay Region Garden Club dedicated the Blue Star Memorial marker that stands in Boothbay Harbor. Each year a new wreath is placed on the marker to honor all the veterans in our community; your grandparent, mom, dad, sister, brother, aunt, uncle, your best friend, or maybe your child who have served or are serving this country.

Blue Star Memorial markers and Blue Star Memorial highway markers are located throughout the United States and are a project of National Garden Clubs, Inc. The program has been in existence since the early 1950s. It was the brain child of a group of community minded women who began the project in the late 1940s who wanted to honor members of the military returning from World War II.

The main goal of the program today is to honor and recognize all members of the U.S. military, be they Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast or National Guard, past, present and future. Those who have stood, are standing and will stand in our place to protect the many freedoms we enjoy, and, too often, take for granted.

It is the hope that our own Blue Star Memorial marker will be a reminder to all our friends and neighbors of the sacrifice our military members and their families make on our behalf.

We know freedom is not free and that there are many in our community that serve and sacrifice for us and we wish to thank each and every one.

At 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 8, please join members of the Garden Club at the marker located in a pocket garden in front of the new pickle and basketball courts at Boothbay Region High School to place a wreath in conjunction with the commemoration of Veterans Day.