Hub City Garden Club to Dedicate Blue Star Memorial Marker at Southern Miss Center for Military Veterans, Service Members and Families

Wed, 04/16/2025 - 12:39am | By: Dr. David Tisdale

The Hub City Garden Club and The Garden Clubs of Mississippi, Inc., will dedicate a Blue Star Memorial marker at 10 a.m. Friday, April 25, at the Center for Military Veterans, Service Members and Families on The University of Southern Mississippi’s Hattiesburg campus, located at 200 North 35th Ave. Veterans, civic leaders, garden club members and the public are invited to attend.

The Blue Star Memorial Program has been part of the garden club movement for more than 80 years. National Garden Clubs, Inc., is committed to placing Blue Star Memorial markers along highways and byways in honor of members of the U.S. Armed Forces.

"Our garden club is proud to have this marker placed at the Center for Military Veterans on the campus of Southern Miss as a recognition of all veterans,” said Hub City Garden Club President Jutta White.

The need for an extension of the program beyond highways became apparent decades ago. As a result, in 1981, National Garden Clubs, Inc., approved a smaller Byway Marker for placement in parks, civic spaces, and historic sites. The Hub City Garden Club was honored to assist The Garden Clubs of Mississippi, Inc., in placing this marker to honor the men and women who have served in the U.S. military.

“We’re grateful to the Hub City Garden Club and Garden Clubs of Mississippi, Inc. for honoring the men and women who served in the United States Armed Forces with the placement of a Blue Star Memorial Marker at our center’s Quinlan-Hammond Hall of Honor,” said retired Maj. Gen. Jeff Hammond, founding director of the center. “This distinctive marker will long into the future serve as a living memorial to our nation’s veterans and a tribute to selfless service.”

“We’re most thankful to Melinda Causey-Simmons (state president, Garden Clubs of Mississippi, Inc.), Frances Stringer (past president, Hub City Garden Club), and Jutta White for their leadership and dedication to making this dream a reality,” Hammond added.

For more information about the Center for Military Veterans, Service Members and Families at Southern Miss, visit their website. To learn more about the Hub City Garden Club, contact Jutta White.