A dedication ceremony was held for the Blue Star Star Memorial Marker at Knoxville Hospital and Clinics on Saturday morning.

The marker sits on top of the new water feature at the Bessie Spaur Butterfly Garden. The marker was moved slightly from its original location after the water feature was completed. The Knoxville Federated Garden Club just recently fundraised for the new feature and it was then constructed and completed. 

A large crowd came out to the dedication ceremony Saturday which consisted of presentation of colors, National Anthem and God Bless America singing, several speakers including garden club members, hospital CEO Kevin Kincaid and a district representative for Blue Star, Pledge of Allegiance presented by a local girl scout troop, and a history lesson of the Blue Star markers. The new water feature and marker sit right in front of the new Don and Margaret Long Infusion Center at the hospital and Kincaid said it really completes the campus. Kincaid said he is grateful for the partnership the hospital has with the garden club.

“It’s been a true blessing having them as partners on our campus, because everything you see behind us is a good distraction for patients, their families, and our staff uses, the communities out here. It’s just a beautiful space. To top it all of it’s a great memorial to always remind us as we walk by the sacrifices of our veterans.”

The Blue Star Program honors all men and women that serve in the United States Armed Services. This program began with the planting of 8,000 Dogwood trees by the New Jersey Council of Garden Clubs in 1944 as a living memorial to veterans of World War II.