A beautiful memorial for those who have served

On Tuesday, Aug. 17, the Moriches Bay Garden Club held a dedication ceremony for the new Blue Star Memorial marker in the Banks Street Park in Center Moriches.

The plaque was installed by Eagle Scout Steven Rosche and Boy Scout Troop 414 in coordination with the Moriches Bay Garden Club.

Besides members of the garden club and family and friends of Steven Rosche, Brookhaven Town supervisor Ed Romaine, councilman Dan Panico and Legis. Al Krupski were also on hand to congratulate Rosche.

The Blue Star Memorial program honors all men and women that serve in the United States Armed Services. The program began in 1944 when the New Jersey Council of Garden Clubs planted 8,000 dogwood trees as a living memorial to veterans of World War II. The Blue Star was adopted because it had become an icon in World War I on banners that represented a son or daughter who was away at war.

For over 70 years, the Blue Star Memorial Program has had a partnership with garden clubs in order to have the markers placed in public areas such as parks, civic, and historical grounds.