Two historical markers were recently restored in Tennille and Sandersville.
The Blue Star became an icon in World War II and was seen on flags and banners in homes for sons and daughters away at war as well as in churches and businesses. The Blue Star was replaced by a Gold Star when a service member died while serving in conflicts. The Blue Star Memorial Marker Program was established in 1944 at the end of World War II and honors all who serve in the US Armed Forces –past, present, and future.
In 1945, the National Council of State Garden Clubs (now National Garden Clubs, Inc.) adopted the program started in New Jersey and began a Blue Star Highway system, which covers thousands of miles across the Continental United States, Alaska and Hawaii. A large metal Blue Star Memorial Highway Marker was placed at appropriate locations along the way. Memorial Markers and By-Way Markers are placed at locations such as national cemeteries, parks, veteran’s facilities and gardens.
In 1988, the Tennille Garden Club placed a By-Way marker at the City Park honoring local veterans. In 2002, the Town & Country Garden Club placed a Highway marker in front of the Washington County Courthouse in Sandersville. Over time, these markers had faded, become a bit rusted, and were in general need of refurbishment.
The Azalea District of The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc., where both of these markers are located, began a project to restore all damaged markers within the District to continue to show our veterans how much we honor the service of each individual toward maintaining our freedom. Funds were raised from individuals and local clubs. Along with matching funds from a special Blue Star Marker Restoration Grant sponsored by The Garden Club of Georgia, enough funds were in place by the summer of 2020 to restore nine markers throughout the District.
The Tennille and Sandersville markers were restored on Saturday, November 14 by Mr. Tom Stelling of Historical Markers Restorations, Inc. Stelling travels from his home in Florida to restore all types of Historical Markers throughout the Southeast. He cleans each marker, then paints the special base coating which is designed to hinder damage from the elements. The final step of his process is to hand paint each star and every letter on the signs.
The Azalea District thanked Mayor Eartha Cummings of Tennille for arranging transportation of the Tennille marker to and from Sandersville where Mr. Stelling completed the work. The District also thanked the Town & Country Garden Club of Sandersville for their contribution toward this restoration project.
