Ribbon Cutting for the ESGC Blue Star Memorial

A Ribbon Cutting Event was held Thursday, July 18, 2024, at City Park in Elkins, WV, for the Emma Scott Garden Club Blue Star Memorial.

“Ashton White, a young high-school student, joined the Emma Scott Garden Club in 2023 to show his support to the community of Randolph County and add community service to his resume. He is a graduating senior at Elkins High School and will be attending Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University this fall as a midshipman in the Naval ROTC unit. So as a new member of the garden club, he took on the project of management of the three Blue Star Markers in town. As Ashton has been away attending Navy ROTC camp, his mother, Tonya White and his two sisters, Ava and Aspen have stepped up to support his Blue Star Marker project and show their support to the community.

The Blue Star Memorial Program was developed in 1944 by the National Garden Club as a way to honor all men and women that serve in the United States Armed Services. The Blue Star Service Banner was designed in 1917 as a way to show honor and pride for families that have loved ones that serve in the military, each star represents one family member serving and a banner can have up to 5 stars. If the service member is killed, a Gold Star is placed over top of the Blue Star.

The Elkins Emma Scott Garden Club has three Blue Star Memorial Markers which are located at Little Arlington Cemetery, the intersection of Walgreen’s, and the Elkins City Park.

This past month, the Memorial at the Elkins City Park, which no one believed could be a beautiful garden, has undergone total reconstruction. The White’s have redesigned the ESGC Blue Star Marker garden by the Elkins City Park.

With the generous donations from Ralph Grey at Northwood Hardwoods and S & K Construction, an 18″ retaining wall was built around the Memorial and pine tree located behind the Arts Center. The Memorial was moved and placed upon a foundation to protect it from the roots of the pine tree.

Fill dirt was donated by Neil Smith Construction and Charles and Linda Shomo donated the topsoil, mulch, and the red, white, and blue flowers that were placed in the area. Dani Cade, Director of Elkins Art Center, donated water for the garden.

The following helped with the design and planting: Tonya White, Ava White, Aspen White, Imre Barsy, Paula Heinke, Ed Daniels, Bob Stottlemyer, and Linda Shomo.

The Garden Club is passionate about supporting our Veterans and Active Duty military personnel and thus by beautifying these areas, it will help to honor those that have sacrificed for our country.”

– Mayor Jerry Marco, Elkins, WVa.