American Legion Post 29 has joined other veterans organizations, gardens, parks, cemeteries, highways, and byways as a site that honors veterans, thanks to the Greenwood Garden Club.
A sign has been installed in front of the American Legion Hall at 200 E. Claiborne Ave., declaring the location a Blue Star Memorial, “a tribute to the Armed Forces who have defended the United States of America.”
“It’s really an honor because it has so much meaning,” Post 29 Commander Johnny Favara said. “They do it to honor those who served the nation, and that’s the code we live by.”
Greenwood Garden Club decided to honor the post. Club member Nancy Ehret chaired the “committee of one” that spent more than a year getting permission from the city and Post 29, applying to the national organization, ordering the sign, arranging for delivery and installation.
It’s the first of its kind in Greenwood, she said, but joins markers around the state and across the country.
“This is a marker that honors veterans,” Ehret said. “That’s why we chose American Legion Post 29, because they represent all branches of the services.”
In May, Greenwood’s garden clubs will host the state conference at the state headquarters of the Garden Clubs of Mississippi, 401 E. Market St. The conference will include a dedication ceremony for the marker.
The Blue Star Memorials started in 1945, when the National Council of State Garden Clubs started marking a Blue Star Highway system covering thousands of miles of roads around the country. That expanded to memorial markers like the one outside the Post 29 building, as well as byway markers along less traveled roads, national veterans cemeteries, parks and gardens.
The sign cost more than $1,500 and was paid for by the Greenwood Garden Club. It was installed by city workers after the City Council gave its approval.
“It’s quite an honor,” Favara said, “and it’s pretty expensive for them to do this for us.”
• Contact Gavin Maliska at 581-7235 or gmaliska@-gwcommonwealth.com.
