Article and photos by Patty Blackburn
Marie LaLonde and her grandson, Jim Bingham, Pamela Dowd, Bette Ann Fields, and Kathy Smith
A re-dedication to the Blue Star Memorial Highway Marker was held on Oct. 21, 2024, by the Tennessee Federation of Garden Clubs, Inc., National Council of State Garden Clubs and the Robert Lewis Chapter NSDAR. This event took place near the Abner Houston cabin on Cornersville Hwy. Refurbishment of the marker was donated by Tennessee Federation of Garden Clubs, Inc.
This marker honors all men and women that serve in the United Stated Armed Services. The Blue Star symbolizes the memorial because it was used during World War II on flags and homes of families that had a son or daughter who fought for our country. Instead of building stone monuments, a uniform marker was adopted to show memorialization.
The program was held by the Robert Lewis Chapter NSDAR. Bette Ann Fields, District II Director, greeted everyone and Pamela L. Dowd, TFGC & District II Blue Star & Gold Star Families Memorial Marker Chairman, give a brief history of the memorial markers.
Mayor Jim Bingham, Pamela Dowd and Beverly McLain-Regent, RLC, unveiled the marker with its Blue Star shining brightly. In attendance was Marie LaLonde, VP of Talos. A special thank you to LaLonde and Talos representatives for taking down the marker, shipping the marker to and from the site to be refurbished, and placing the marker back in its original place.
Robert Lewis Chapter DAR members
The Daughters of the American Revolution is a nonprofit, nonpolitical volunteer women’s service organization whose mission is to promote historic preservation, education, and patriotism. Any woman 18 years or older, regardless of race, religion or ethnic background, who can prove and document lineal descent from a Patriot of the American Revolution is eligible. If interested in membership, please email robertlewis@tndar.
