Blue Star Memorial Program
The Blue Star Memorial Program honors service men and women. This program began with the planting of 8,000 Dogwood trees by the New Jersey Council of Garden Clubs in 1944 as a living memorial to veterans of World War II. In 1945, the National Council of State Garden Clubs adopted the program and began a Blue Star Highway system, which covers thousands of miles across the Continental United States, Alaska and Hawaii. A large metal Blue Star Memorial Highway Marker was placed at appropriate locations along the way.
The program was expanded to include all men and women who had served, were serving or would serve in the armed services of the United States. Memorial Markers and By-Way markers were added to the Highway Markers, to be used at locations such as National cemeteries, parks, veteran's facilities and gardens.
The Blue Star became an icon in World War II and was seen on flags and banners in homes for sons and daughters away at war, as well as in churches and businesses.
This program has been active all through the years to the present, a fitting tribute always and especially now. Many states and regions have been very dedicated, but there is room for growth in some areas.
A "Guidelines" booklet can be ordered from Member Services for $5.00, which explains all procedures, including awards available to clubs.
Blue Star Memorial Price Change
Effective May 1, 2010- Blue Star Memorial and Highway Markers (includes post) - $1250 Download order form - WORD or PDF
- Blue Star Byway Markers - $410 Download order form - WORD or PDF
- New Post Only - $325
- Large Blue Star Memorial/Highway Marker without Post - $1120
Additional West Coast Shipping Fee $50.00 - ONLY for LARGE Memorial and Highway Markers (Any location west of MN, IA, MO, AR, LA western state lines)
Marker Restoration
Cost to RESTORE a LARGE Blue Star Memorial and Highway Marker - $750 (includes round-trip delivery) You must call SEWAH STUDIOS direct at 740-373-2087 to arrange pick-up (there is NO order form for restoration).
By-Way Markers cannot be refurbished--a new one must be ordered.
Please Note--Restoration is the ONLY time that clubs may call Sewah Studios--all other call go through the NGC Chairman.
Contact the NGC Blue Star Memorial Chairman for more information.
Tips for Ordering
Allow eight weeks for delivery after the studio receives your order. If you have a specific dedication date set, be sure to allow plenty of time to be certain you will have the marker by that date.
Have someone
open and inspect the marker as soon as it is received. If you have it delivered to a business, impress on them that if it is stored unopened, then later found to be damaged, SEWAH STUDIOS will not accept responsibility. It must be reported to them immediately.
After your marker is installed, Sewah suggests the bolts be filed down so they cannot be easily removed. Two markers have been taken and sold for scrap.
SEWAH STUDIOS no longer has paint information for NGC. They use a special blend, and it cannot be duplicated. Please do not call Sewah to request it. Many clubs tell me they go to an automotive repair shop and get the paint.
When filling in the forms please type if possible or print legibly. We have had several problems due to illegible handwriting.
Please check the condition of the older markers in your state and have them re-furbished if necessary. When SEWAH returns them, you will think you have a brand new marker, or you can attempt to do it yourself
Small clubs who would like to dedicate a marker or re-furbish an existing one, but cannot afford the cost, try contacting your Veteran’s organizations, i.e. American Legion, VFW, DAV, etc. They appreciate our markers and usually are glad to help. Be sure to invite them to take part in your dedication ceremony. Invite the high school students to help you--they will never forget it.