Bluestar Memorial Marker dedicated at Kentucky Welcome Center

WHITLEY COUNTY, Ky. (WYMT) - A Bluestar Memorial Marker was dedicated in Whitley County on Monday.

It was set up at the Kentucky Welcome Center and hosted by the Corbin Garden Club.

“This is the Bluestar Marker that is used all across the nation,” Member Carcille C. Burchette said. “By all garden clubs that put in these Bluestar Markers, they’re all the same.”

The marker signifies the people who have served, are serving or will serve in the military.

“They are the ones, and their families, are the ones who have sacrificed and continue to sacrifice because we are able then to have the freedoms that we have,” Burchette said.

Bluestar Marker State Chairman Romanza Johnson said the ceremonies are crucial.

“The garden club members work hard to raise the funds to purchase the markers,” she said. “It’s great to have the ceremonies so that people in the area know that there’s a Bluestar Marker there and that we’re paying tribute.”

The ceremony was postponed multiple times before finally being able to happen. It was originally postponed because of the welcome center’s construction. The other delays were because of COVID-19.

Johnson said there are plans to add more markers across the state.

“It’s fun when you’re traveling throughout our state and throughout the United States, that you can see these Bluestar Markers in different places,” she said.

Burchette said the next one will be in Corbin.

This one, however, will be a Goldstar Memorial Marker, which honors the families of those in the military.

“We’re planning on Nibroc Park, which is right downtown. We have the flags there, already there’s some fallen soldiers that are listed there,” she said. “So, this we felt would be the perfect place.”

Burchette said the service was backed by the military members they honor.

“When we sent out the invitations, they we’re really pleased that we were doing this,” she said. “The support when we came back in 2016 to put in the first one, couldn’t get over the support in Corbin.”

Burchette says several military organizations attended the ceremony.

Those with the Corbin Garden Club are thankful for their attendance.

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