On November 10, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. the Fuquay-Varina Garden Club, in partnership with the Town of Fuquay-Varina, dedicated two Blue Star Memorial Highway markers in Centennial Square. The markers recognize all who have served, are serving and will serve in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Mayor John Byrne had seen Blue Star Memorials along the highways in other towns as he met with local leaders. Their distinctive look and purpose impressed him and gave him the desire to participate in this ongoing program, which, he discovered, is administered through the National Garden Club, Inc., and its local affiliates. The Fuquay-Varina Garden Club is a group of 35 men and women formed in 2007 “to encourage interest in the art of gardening, garden design, flower arranging and horticulture, while improving the environment through beautification, protection and conservation.”
Current president, Sandy Anastasio, moved from Manassas, Virginia, in 2014, where she had been the local club president. In choosing her new home she says, “It was important to me to be a member of a Garden Club when I relocated.” In January of 2020, she became president of our local club. The Blue Star Memorial is just one of the many opportunities to serve that have come her way since then.
Our own ceremony to dedicate and place two Blue Star Markers took place on November 10, the day before Veterans Day. It was important to Mayor Byrne that one be placed on the Fuquay side and another on the Varina side. One is on Highway 401 near Centennial Square across from the former police station. The other is in the Varina business district by the trio of flags across from Tsuru Sweets and Coffee. Both were dedicated at the event held in Centennial Square at 11 a.m. on that special morning.
Here is the order of the program. Patriotic music was played by the Fuquay-Varina High School ensemble. Sandy Anastasio, Garden Club president, gave a welcome and introduced Alan Shaw, LTC(R), an assistant pastor and town resident, who gave the invocation. American Legion Post 116 sent an Honor Guard to present the colors. Club member Sandy Behm led the Pledge of Allegiance. The Fuquay-Varina Chorale invited all to join them in singing the “Star-Spangled Banner,” followed by remarks from Mayor Byrne. He and Sandy then introduced guests and officials. Paula Hartman, North Carolina Blue Star Memorial Chairperson, gave the history of the Blue Star Marker, followed by Col. (Retired) Richard E. Brown, of Fuquay-Varina, who gave a military tribute.
The high school ensemble and chorale then led all attendees in singing “America the Beautiful.” Julia Yeargen, Lesley Phipps, and Karen Ponger had the honor of unveiling the markers and placing the tribute of flowers. Next, club member Kent Jefferies read the dedication of the markers, which will be quoted below.
The markers were accepted by Brandon Jones, North Carolina Department of Transportation Division 5 Engineer. In closing, the ensemble played “Service Song,” Alan Shaw gave the benediction, the Honor Guard retrieved the colors, and the high school trumpeter played “Taps.” Perhaps you can hear the music in your mind. Now open your heart to the meaning of the event as you read the dedication, which has been approved by Congress and the Department of Defense.
Dedication for Blue Star Memorials
We are here to pay tribute to our Armed Forces. While we go about our daily lives or while we sleep, the men and women in our Armed Forces fly our skies, sail our seas and guard our shores, ensuring our safety.
They stand ready at a moment’s notice to defend our Country. We must not forget them, and, WE DO NOT! WE REMEMBER. With every step of the Honor Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. WE REMEMBER. With every drumbeat on the Fourth of July.
When we Pledge Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, WE REMEMBER. At the sound of Reveille, WE REMEMBER. As the last lingering note of Taps resounds in the distance, WE REMEMBER.
In REMEMBERING today, we dedicate this Blue Star Marker to the honor and glory of all those men and women who have served, are now serving, and will serve in the Armed Forces of this great Nation.
It is with pride that the National Garden Clubs, Inc. joins with the Fuquay-Varina Garden Club and the town of Fuquay-Varina to perpetuate our Blue Star Memorial Marker Program with this Marker that stands as a symbol for
ALL TO SEE
LEST WE FORGET
THOSE WHO HELP TO KEEP US FREE
The National Garden Club, Inc. began to honor veterans at the close of World War II. The first event was the planting of dogwood trees in 1944 in New Jersey. This expanded in 1945 to include all states with affiliated clubs. However, more of these markers have been placed in North Carolina than in any other state. We are honored to be included as we consider our freedoms and privileges, and those who defend them.
Club president Sandy Anastasio formed a committee which included the first five members who volunteered to honor their family members who had served or were serving. Last year club revenue was down because of event cancellations due to COVID, and as the markers are custom cast-metal design, expensive to purchase and place, the town offered to foot the bill. Sandy was happy to lead the way forward. That also involved meeting with the Department of Transportation to visit proposed sites and approve placement along state roadways. The committee took almost one year from site selection to arranging every detail of the Dedication.
The National Garden Club of America was founded in 1913. It is a volunteer, nonprofit 501(c)3 organization of 200 member clubs and approximately 18,000 club members throughout the country. Their purpose is “to stimulate the knowledge and love of gardening, to share the advantages of association by means of educational meetings, conferences, correspondence, and publications, and to restore, improve, and protect the quality of the environment through educational programs and action in the fields of conservation and civic improvement.”
The Fuquay-Varina Garden Club meets the third Thursday of the month, January through May, and September through December. General meetings are held at the Fuquay-Varina Women’s Clubhouse located at 602 N. Ennis Street. Interested residents are invited to join them at 7:00 p.m. for a guest speaker and light refreshments. The first two meetings are free. You can read about them at GardenClubContact@gmail.com and Like them on Facebook.
The club has received a number of state awards for ongoing projects. In 2021, they were presented the Judy Barnes Scholarship Award from the Garden Club of North Carolina, recognizing the club that gave the most scholarship funds based on the number of members. Every second year they hold a local garden tour. The gardens to be selected for the next tour, in spring of 2023, are currently being recommended. In 2015, they were awarded the Most Outstanding Garden Tour, First Place Winner, by the state organization. FVGC also presents the Best Entryway Award quarterly to a Fuquay-Varina resident with the most inviting entryway. Their October program focused on outdoor lighting options for landscapes. In November, the program was about stormwater management and construction of rain gardens to reduce pollution of oceans, bays, streams and rivers.
The Blue Star Memorial Markers express our thanks to members of our Armed Forces. Now we know whom to thank for placing these markers that make us all proud of our town.
