More than 60 people gathered Saturday morning on Church Street (Rt. 43) in Eagle Rock for the dedication of Botetourt’s first Blue Star Memorial.
The memorial marker is embedded in the southbound side of the highway just south of the bridge over the James River and is there to honor all past, present and future veterans who have, are and will protect America.
Fincastle Garden Club sponsored the monument, and plans a second in Troutville that will be dedicated in November.
The Blue Star Memorial program was adopted by the National Federation of Garden Club more than 70 years ago as a way to acknowledge the men and women who serve in the Armed Forces.
The program began when the New Jersey Council of Garden Clubs planted 8,000 Dogwood trees in 1944 as a living memorial to veterans of World War II.
In 1945, the National Council adopted the program and began a Blue Star Highway system that covers thousands of miles across the Continental United States, Alaska, and Hawaii. Large metal Blue Star Memorial highway and byway markers have been placed at appropriate locations all across the country.
Fincastle Garden Club President Shirley Mullins told the crowd about the Blue Star Memorial program and acknowledged a number of special guests.
“Those of us that have traveled to other counties, some war-torn countries, understand how blessed we are to have been born in the United States of America,” Retired Senior Master Sgt. Frank Ware told the crowd. “Our nation exists only because brave men and women defend and protect us today and carry the torch from brave Americans like many hear today.
“Memorials like the one we dedicate today are tributes to those veterans that sacrificed their lives, those veterans here today who pledged they would give their lives if necessary, and the young men and women that place themselves in harm’s way in hard to pronounce places on the globe today— they are there right now, this very minute—defending our freedom to be assembled here today— this very minute,” Ware continued. “Pray for them.”
“Most Americans hold veterans and their service sacred. The Garden Club’s work to dedicate this memorial is a perfect example for that appreciation in an organization with a long history of patriotic action and deed. I speak for all those that serve and have served—thank you,” Ware said.
“The Garden Club’s choice to dedicate these Blue Star Memorials across our great land – today in this beautiful spot in Botetourt County is tribute to you as individuals and to your organization,” Ware continued. “The Garden Club gets it— they understand we have much more that bind us together than divides us as Americans.”
Kevin Booth and Paul W. Farris Jr. did the honors of unveiling the marker. They are the great-grandsons of Walter and Virginia Stinnett. The Stinnett family was instrumental in helping the garden club get the marker.
Mary Stinnett Bosserman, an Eagle Rock resident and Fincastle Garden Club member, laid the Tribute of Flowers at the marker with the help of her grand-nephews, Booth and Ferris.
The Eagle Rock Improvement Association headed by Bonnie Britt will care for the monument that was placed on the edge of the limestone kilns the association takes care of at the entrance to the village.
Guests at the dedication included Virginia Federation of Garden Clubs President Marty Bowers. A number of veterans were present, including Junior Clark, a 91-year-old World War II veteran, and representatives from VFW Posts and Auxiliaries in Botetourt and Covington.
Mullins also acknowledged the assistance provided by Bobbi and Ray Sloan and Ed Miller with Botetourt Funeral Home for providing the memorial stone and mounting and placing the marker.
She also thanked Eagle Rock Fire and Rescue for managing traffic during the ceremony and she thanked the Botetourt Sheriff’s Department Color Guard for handling the Colors during the ceremony. Bill Atherholt, Quartermaster with VFW Post 1033 in Covington, played “Taps” to close the dedication.
