On Saturday, April 23, 2016, the Western Cranston Garden Club sponsored a Blue Star Memorial dedication to honor our veterans along with the men and women of the U.S. armed forces.

The U.S. Sen. John H. Chaffee Athletic & Recreation Complex was the chosen site for this marker. The garden club’s co-presidents, Linda Alves and Sharron Casey, with the approval of the garden club members, purchased the Blue Star plaque, created a garden, worked diligently with Mayor Allan Fung and Parks and Recreation Director Tony Liberatore to complete this project.

The master of ceremonies was Robert A. Casey, who welcomed the guests and speakers – Fung; Andrea Little, National Garden Clubs Blue Star chair; Kim Ripoli, associate director of the Division of Veteran Affairs; Candace Morgenstern, Northeast regional and RIFGC Blue Star chair; Catherine Moore, president of RIFGC; and the Rev. Katherine Mitchell.

Joseph Alves mastered the selected music for the ceremony, and Tom Maltais, scoutmaster of Troop 8, led with the presentation of colors and the Pledge of Allegiance.

Concluding the ceremony, the Western Cranston Garden Club provided refreshments, and to celebrate Earth and Arbor Day, a Japanese Red Maple tree was raffled. It was a joyous day of heartfelt thanks and remembrance.

(Photo courtesy of Nick Viau)