Blue Star Memorial Marker Is Dedicated
It was a busy weekend at Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center (CEWC) with the dedication of the Blue Star Memorial Marker held May 17 and the second annual Keeping Georgia Wild Day on May 18.
The Blue Star Memorial Star dedication ceremony was “a tribute to honor all those men and women who have served, are now serving, and will serve in the Armed Forces of the U.S.A.”
The local event was sponsored by the Azalea District Garden Club of Georgia, Inc. and the Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center and featured guest speaker Lonice Barrett, former Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Commissioner. Mr. Barrett spoke of his respect and admiration of the late Charlie Elliott and how he was inspired by the late nature lover and that Mr. Elliott’s importance to DNR could never be overstated.
Mr. Barrett shared information about the state program that led to the creation of CEWC in Mansfield. Preservation 2000 was the program started by former Georgia Governor Zell Miller. He said of all the properties across the state acquired through that program to preserve wildlife that Charlie Elliott was the one that would bring visitors the most awe upon viewing.
“It’s a happy occasion to be here today,” he noted.
In welcoming the audience, Wildlife Resource Director Rusty Garrison shared some memorable stories about Mr. Elliott and how the local center came to be. He shared that he was hired by the DNR before the land for Charlie Elliott was even purchased from three different families. He said he took a chance and moved on site before the deal went through hoping it would go through.
Mr. Garrison shared a few poignant stories about Mr. Elliott noting the 19 books he penned and that he was buried on the property. He also encouraged attendees to stroll through the Visitors’ Center and view the replicated office of the late wildlife author which he used as his office prior to his death. Mr. Garrison thanked the Garden Club which he said has been a “great partner.’
The Blue Star program began at the close of World War II as national Garden Clubs were seeking suitable means of honoring service men and women. The club sought to beautify and preserve the country rather than build monuments so in 1944 they began by planting flowering dogwoods along a five mile stretch of the highway that had been designated the Blue Star Drive. The project was named for the blue star in the service flag that hung in windows of homes and businesses to honor service men and women.
Other program participants included the DNR Honor Guard; Garden Club of Georgia (GCG) President Barbara Bourque; GCG members Janice Thiese, Susi Keller and Jane Hersey; Past Azalea District Directors Molly Kimler, Betty Davis, and Jane Edmunds; Veteran Jesse Burnette; Alan Isler, Pete Griffin, Katie McCollum of WRD, GCC scholarship recipient Lanier Forster; Dianne Harrington of Gateways Garden Club; and Noah Mauldin of Boy Scouts.
Keeping Georgia Wild Day is a free family festival that gives all ages an opportunity to experience the great outdoors and learn what Charlie Elliott has to offer. Acvities included archery, shooting sports, mini boat rides, outdoor exhibitors, and wildlife demonstrations.
