CHOCOWINITY — The Washington Garden Club teamed up with American Legion Auxiliary Unity No. 15 to unveil Beaufort County’s first Blue Star Memorial Marker.

Saturday, a crowd of well-wishers came out for the unveiling ceremony at the U.S. Highway 17 South rest stop in Chocowinity. Led by Southside High School’s band with a medley of patriotic tunes, Beaufort County Choral Society Director Stephen Brand’s “Star Spangled Banner” solo, with the audience joining in on “God Bless America,” Garden Club president Janice Simons’ welcomed the crowd and Washington High School JROTC’s presentation of the colors.

Paula Hartman, Garden Club of North Carolina’s Blue Star Memorial Marker Committee Chairman, gave a history of the markers, from their start in 1944 with the planting of 8,000 dogwood trees along the highways by the New Jersey Council of Garden Clubs — a living memorial to veterans. Hartman pointed out that Saturday’s event marked the 101^st Blue Star Memorial in the state. The 100^th had happened just the day before.

The markers honor all men and women who have served, are serving and will serve in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Guest speakers at the event included Cypress Landing resident and Maj. Gen. Gordon C.  Nash, U.S. Marine Corps (retired); Sandra Snapp, who organized the Washington Garden Club committee to make the marker a reality; and National Garden Club Blue Star Committee Chairman Andrea Little.