Stockton will honor the service and sacrifice of U.S. Armed Forces members with a Blue Star Memorial Marker Unveiling and Dedication Ceremony at the University of the Pacific on Friday, January 30, at 10:00 a.m., at 265 W. Knoles Way.
The ceremony is hosted by the Stockton Garden Club, Inc., continuing a long-standing national tradition of publicly recognizing military members—past, present, and future. Blue Star Memorial Markers serve as enduring symbols of gratitude, remembrance, and community pride, honoring those who have defended the United States of America .
A Tradition Rooted in History and Honor
The Blue Star Memorial Program began in 1944, when the New Jersey Council of Garden Clubs planted 8,000 dogwood trees to honor World War II veterans. In 1951, the program expanded to recognize all men and women serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. The blue star itself became an iconic symbol during World War II, appearing on flags and banners in homes, churches, and businesses to signify loved ones serving overseas .
Since then, Blue Star Memorial Markers have been placed in parks, civic spaces, and historical grounds across the country, each bearing the inscription:…