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Blue and Gold Star Memorials

Honoring Those Who Served Our Country

Blue Star Markers

The Blue Star Program honors all men and women that serve in the United States Armed Services. 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 (now NGC, Inc.) adopted this program and began a Blue Star Highway system that covers thousands of miles across the Continental United States, Alaska, and Hawaii. Blue Star Memorial Highway Markers were placed along the way. The Blue Star was adopted because it had become 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.


Gold Star Markers

Gold Star Families is a non-profit organization created to provide support to those who have lost a loved one in service to our country through the United States Armed Forces. Their mission is to offer honor, hope and healing through remembering fallen heroes by coming together. The name Gold Star came from the custom of families of service members hanging a banner called a service flag in the window of their homes. The service flag had a star for each family member in the United States Armed Forces. Blue Stars represented living service members while a Gold Star represented those who had lost their lives. NGC clubs work with Gold Star Families to honor our fallen heroes with Gold Star Markers.


Blue and Gold Star Ordering Details

For more information on Blue and Gold Star Memorials or program brochures, please contact Candace WellsBlue & Gold Star Memorials Chairman.

Click the link below for the full Blue and Gold Star guidelines. This should answer any questions you have!

Guidelines

Use this form to order Blue Star or Gold Star Families By-Way Markers

Blue Star or Gold Star Families By-Way Markers Order Form

Use this form to order Blue Star Highway and Memorial Markers.

Blue Star Marker Order Form

Use this form to order Gold Star Families Memorial Markers

Gold Star Families Memorial Marker Order Form

Pricing effective January 1st, 2024 through December 31st, 2024

Memorial / Highway Markers
Delivered with a 7' post: $2,350.00 (includes shipping costs for states east of MN, IA, MO, AR and LA)

Marker with 10' Post: $2,460.00

Marker (No Post): $2,225

Byway Plaques: $750.00

7' Replacement Posts: $375.00

10' Replacement Posts: $475.00

Refurbishment
Round-Trip Freight Included: $1,200.00

Refurbishment + Cap Repair
Round-Trip Freight Included: $1,450.00

Extra Shipping (Western States)
Memorial/Highway Markers Only: $300.00

Sewah Studios
190 Millcreek Rd.
Marietta, OH 45750
(740) 373-2087 phone
(888) 557-3924 tollfree
@email

 

Note: Note: Because of the size and weight of these Markers, an additional freight cost to deliver these markers to those states that are west of the states of MN, IA, Mo, AR and LA, an additional shipping charge of $300. per Marker must be added to the cost of $2350. for a total cost of $2650.

Allow 24 weeks for delivery after Sewah Studios receives the application and check. In addition, if you have a specific dedication date, be sure to build in plenty of time to be certain you will have the Marker delivered by that dedication date and, in order for the Marker to be mounted and placed in the designated location in a timely manner.

Open and inspect the marker as soon as it is received. If the Marker is delivered to a business, impress on them that if the Marker is stored unopened, and later found to be damaged, Sewah Studios will NOT accept responsibility for the damage. It must be reported to Sewah Studios immediately.

After your Marker is installed, Sewah Studios suggests that the bolts be filed down so that they cannot be easily removed. It is unfortunate that some of the Markers have been stolen and sold for scrap.

It is advisable that the older Highway and Memorial Markers in your state be checked and have the Markers refurbished, if necessary. Sewah Studios, our Marker manufacturer, provides this service and may be called directly (740-373-2087) when refurbishment is necessary; or, there are other monument refurbishing companies such as Historical Markers Restoration, Mr. Tom Stelling @ 386-299-7841, and others, that provide this service as well. It is suggested that a professional company be used in order to ensure that that NGC Guidelines are being followed. ANY CHANGES IN COLOR OR ANY ADDITIONAL SIGNS OR ENSIGNIA’S BE PLACED ON THE MARKER OR POLE IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. THESE MARKERS ARE APPROVED BY THE CONGRESS AND THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AND ARE NOT TO BE ALTERED IN ANY FASHION BY A GARDEN CLUB OR ANY OTHER ORGANIZATION.

By-Way Markers

By-way Markers cannot be refurbished. If replacement is necessary, then a new Marker must be ordered. Please Note: Restoration is the ONLY time that clubs may call Sewah Studios directly. All other calls go directly to the National Garden Club Blue Star and Gold Star Families Chairman.


Other Resources

Marker Funding Ideas:

  • Contact your local Veteran's organizations, i.e. American Legion, VFW, DAV, etc. These organizations honor and respect these Markers and show their appreciation by helping financially. Be sure to invite them to take part in your Dedication Ceremony.
  • Invite local high school students, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, etc. to assist you with this project; it will be an educational experience that they will never forget.
  • Work with local Gold Star Families groups to fund Gold Star Markers.

Blue and Gold Star Marker Types

  • awardBlue Star Memorial Marker
    Blue Star Memorial Marker

    Blue Star Memorial Markers are permitted on the grounds of National Cemeteries, VA Medical Centers and other civic locations approved by the NGC Blue/Gold Star Chair.

  • awardBlue Star Memorial Highway Marker
    Blue Star Memorial Highway Marker

    Blue Star Memorial Highway Marker are permitted on highways and highway rest areas.

  • awardGold Star Memorial Marker
    Gold Star Memorial Marker

    Gold Star Memorial Markers are permitted on the grounds of National Cemeteries, VA Medical Centers and other civic locations approved by the NGC Blue/Gold Star Chair.

  • awardBlue Star By-Way Marker
    Blue Star Memorial By-Way Marker

    Blue Star By-Way Markers are permitted in parks, historic sites and other civic locations.

  • awardGold Star By-Way Marker
    Gold Star Memorial By-Way Marker

    Gold Star By-Way Markers are permitted in parks, historic sites and other civic locations.

Landscaping Awards for Blue & Gold Star Markers

Highway

Certificates of Merit and monetary awards may be given for the most outstanding Blue Star Memorial Highway Marker landscaping projects: single clubs, groups or states may apply.

Awards Rules
01

By-Way

Certificates of Merit and monetary awards may be given for the most outstanding Blue Star OR Gold Star Families Memorial By-Way Marker landscaping projects: single clubs, groups or states may apply.

Awards Rules
02

Civic

Certificates of Merit and monetary awards may be given for the most outstanding Blue Star OR Gold Star Families Memorial Marker landscaping projects at a National Cemetery, Veterans Facility or other civic location: single clubs, groups or states may apply.

Awards Rules
03