Blue Star Memorial Monument placed at Grand Encampment Museum

On June 24, Encampment became the 12th location in the state of Wyoming to host a Blue Star Memorial Marker. In doing so, the Encampment Dirt Diggers Club continued a tradition which has carried on since 1945.

As representatives of VFW 6125 presented the Colors to mark the beginning of the dedication ceremony for the Blue Star Memorial Marker, the choir sang The Star Spangled Banner. The Encampment Community Choir sang a moving rendition of  "Salute to the Armed Forces" bringing servicemen and women to their feet to be recognized for their service. 

The Blue Star Memorial Program honors service men and women who served, are serving, or will be serving in the armed services of the United States. In 1945 the National Council of State Garden Clubs adopted the program, which started in New Jersey, and began a Blue Star Highway system of markers covering thousands of miles across the U.S.A.

A marker was placed at locations such as national cemeteries, parks, veterans facilities and public garden. The Blue Star became an icon in World War II and was seen on flags and banners in homes for sons and daughters away at war. It was also displayed in churches and businesses. There are now 12 Blue Star Memorial Markers in the State of Wyoming. Their locations include Cody, Worland, Cheyenne, Douglas, Riverton, Torrington, Lingle, Casper, Fort Steele, Chugwater, Mule Creek Junction and, now, Encampment. 

This project was spearheaded by The Encampment Dirt Diggers Garden Club, and coincided with hosting the Wyoming Garden Clubs state convention. During the convention, Vonda Weiburg received the National Award of Honor for her excellence in the Dirt Diggers Garden club, a first for the club.

The Dirt Diggers were organized in Encampment on October 7, 1933 and the first meeting was held at Ella Parkinson's home which is now located at the Grand Encampment Museum grounds. This organization is also a member of the National Garden Club. They have many ongoing projects throughout the year. These include caring for the Ruth Chase Memorial and Japanese Garden, planting the ore buckets at the Grand Encampment Museum with flowers in June and decorating them at Christmas. They also plant memorial trees. manage the junior garden-vegetable garden at the Grand Encampment Museum and maintain the Rock Garden at the museum.