On Monday, January 8th, The Estero Island Garden Club reinstalled the Blue Star Memorial Plaque in front of the Fort Myers Beach Library. The plaque had been broken off during Hurricane Ian.
The plaque was first installed at the library in May of 2021. After the storm, the plaque was found and the Garden Club had it welded back together. On the 8th there was a short program and those who served in our Armed Forces were remembered.
The blue star was used on service flags to denote a service member fighting in the war. The program has since been expanded to include memorial Markers and Memorial By-ways (since 1994). These markers are used in National Cemeteries, parks, veteran’s facilities and gardens.
The National Garden Club honors veterans and active service members by installing these signs throughout the country. The first Blue Star Memorial in Florida was dedicated in May of 1949 in Key West.
Garden Club members told us they were very happy to be part of Fort Myers Beach taking another step forward in its recovery.
Pictures courtesy Lorna Littrell
When that plaque was first installed in May of 2021 in front of the Fort Myers Beach library, it was accompanied by one of the most beautiful memorial services I have ever seen—I will never forget it. Home of the free because of the brave.🏝🙏💪🇺🇸