A Blue Star Memorial Marker honoring all those who served and continue to serve in the Armed Forces will now greet visitors to the Southwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery in Jennings.

“This is one of the first things people will see when they come to the cemetery,” Cemetery Director Dwayne Guidry said. “It will serve as a continuous reminder of the sacrifices that all of our men and women veterans have given.”

Area veterans, community leaders, school children and local residents joined the Jennings Garden Club on Monday as they unveiled and dedicated the new memorial marker. The Kiwanis Club, James O. Hall American Legion Post 19 and Frank Thibodeaux American Legion Post 520 also helped sponsored the marker.

Jennings Garden Club President Nookie Miller said the marker will serve as a “constant reminder for all to see and never to forget those who keep us free.” She said the marker would not be possible without the cooperation of all those involved in the project.

“Originally Jennings had one in the ‘70s on the highway, but it went missing,” Miller said. “We have tried over the years to replace it, but it was so expensive we couldn’t afford it until we all worked together to purchase a new sign.”

Mary Hazen, chairman of the Freedom Isn’t Free project which places markers at cemeteries and military installations, was overwhelmed at all those involved in getting the memorial market in place and those who turned out for the dedication, including students from Jennings Elementary School who sang patriotic music during the ceremony.

“Every bit of this has been done to honor our veterans,” Hazen said. “The women of the Garden Club worked hard to get it done and the people have responded.”

Louisiana Secretary of Veteran Affairs Col. Joey Strickland said the Blue Star program began in 1944 with the planting of 8,000 dogwood trees by a New Jersey Garden Club as a living memorial to veterans of World War II. In 1945, the National Council of State Garden Clubs adopted the program and began a Blue Star Highway system covering thousands of miles across the U.S.

“The Blue Star was adopted because it had become an icon in World War II and was seen on flags, banners and homes for sons and daughters away at war, as well as in churches and businesses,” Strickland said.

The program expanded and now includes parks, civic and historical grounds, national cemeteries and veterans administration centers, he said.

“You can’t go anywhere in the United States without seeing one of these markers,” Strickland said. “That’s a tribute to the loyalty and love that American people have for their veterans.”

The Jennings cemetery is the second state run veterans cemetery to receive a Blue Star Memorial Marker. The first one was placed at the Northeast Louisiana Veterans Cemetery in Rayville. A third marker will be placed at the Southeast Veterans Cemetery in Slidell in November.

“Today the Blue Star and Gold Star markers extend from sea to shining sea and continue to be dedicated each year on highways, at veterans facilities, veterans cemeteries and historical and civic locations,” said Dr. Pam Langley, past president Diggers and Weeders Lake Charles Garden Club.

Father Trey Ange said the memorial is a way to show appreciation and thanks to those who are in our Armed Forces and those who have served with their lives to defend our country.