Garaen Club
By Clare Winslow
On Wednesday, November 9, on the corner of Highway 58 and Pine Knoll
Boulevard, the Pine Knoll Shores Garden Club installed a Blue Star Memorial marker
dedicated to all members of the armed services, past, present and future.
The program commenced with a prelude by bagpiper Kevin White from the Atlantic
Beach Fire Department, appropriately clad in kilt and sporran, followed by addresses
by Garden Club President Kay Howe and Pine Knoll Shores Mayor Ken Jones, USAF
(retired); an invocation by Major General Tom Tempel, U.S. Army (retired); the Pledge
of Allegiance, led by Lieutenant Colonel Michael Ferneau, USMC (retired); a military
presentation of colors by West Carteret High School’s NJROTC color guard; and the
singing of the National Anthem by the St. Francis by the Sea choir, directed by Linda
Laughton. A military tribute was presented by Pine Knoll Shores Town Manager
Brian Kramer, USMC (retired) and Commander Javier Delgado, USCG. More than
100 veterans of the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard were
present to accept this tribute, with a representative from each group carrying the flag of
their branch of service.
Ms. Howe introduced Paula Hartman, Blue Star chairman of the Garden Club of
North Carolina, who recounted for us the history of the Blue Star Memorial program.
After WWII a New Jersey garden club decided that an everyday reminder of the
bravery of veterans was needed, and chose as its theme the blue star displayed in
homes with a family member in one of the armed services. In the 1950s, the Blue Star
Committee expanded the number of servicemen to be honored, and included past,
present and future male and female members of our five services. Today these markers
to their honor can be found on the highways and byways of all 50 states.
The Pine Knoll Shores Memorial Marker was unveiled as Karen Zaenker read
the dedication. John Rouse accepted the memorial on behalf of the North Carolina
Department of Transportation, and closing remarks were made by Pine Knoll Shores ■
Commissioner Fred Fulcher, U.S. Army.
Garden Club members Susan King and Linda Pearson placed a wreath created by Gini
Stambaugh. The St. Francis by the Sea choir led those in attendance in the singing of “America
the Beautiful,” and Pine Knoll Shores Mayor Ken Jones helped to conclude the ceremony by
bugling “Taps.” Attendees were invited to a reception back at the town hall patio.
Special thanks and congratulations on a job well done are extended to Blue Star
Memorial Committee members Arleen Graczewski (chairman), Kay Howe, Karen
Zaenker, Susan King, Kathy Blowers, Linda Pearson and Arlene Terrell.
Other club business
At the Garden Club board meeting, plans were made for the Christmas meeting at
The Country Club of the Crystal Coast in December. Discussed were Christmas gifts to
a wounded veteran’s family and donations to the Salvation Army.
Garden Club meetings are held every second Wednesday of the month at town hall
at 9:30 a.m. lor refreshments, followed by the program at 10. Guests and visitors are
welcome to attend.
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