Larry Hume of VFW Post 8904 poses with members of the Center Garden Club in front of the Blue Star Memorial at the Community House in Center.
November 9, 2017 - Larry Hume of VFW Post 8904 spoke to the members of Center Garden Club on Wednesday, November 8, 2017 in advance of Veteran’s Day observance on Saturday, October 10, 2017. Center Garden Club observes Veteran’s Day each year in front of the Blue Star Memorial placed by the club in front of the Center Garden Club at the Community Center on Nacogdoches Street.
Mr. Hume informed the group that 100 years ago, the United States was involved in World War I which officially ended on November 11, 2017. He noted the following Center, Texas men who died in this conflict: Norfleet Armstrong, October 28, 1918; Clyde Chance, October 12, 1918; Norman Crocker, January 24, 2017; Louis Franklin, July 26, 1918; Irving Hunter, October 10, 1918; Fred Lindsey, November 2, 1918; Robert Ramsey, September 14, 1918; Robert Ramsey, September 14, 1918; Alexander Ramsey, November 2, 1918; John Stanton, August 4, 1917; Wilburn Taylor, November 28, 2017; John Yeary, October 8, 1918; and George M. Yates, March 19, 1919 – died after the war of disease, in France – still a casualty of the war.
The Blue Star Memorial Program honors all men and women that serve in the United States Armed Services. This program began with the planting of 8,000 Dogwood trees by the New Jersey Council of Garden Clubs in 1944 as a living memorial to veterans of World War II. What we see today is a program that has expanded to include all men and women who had served, were serving, or would serve in the armed services of the United States. Memorial Markers and By-Way markers were added to the Highway Markers, to be used at locations such as National cemeteries, parks, veteran's facilities and gardens.
Pam Sykes informs Center Garden Club members of the types of trees grown in Texas, their history, and other uses. This part of the meeting occurred after the speech by Larry Hume outside the Community House.
Center Garden Club meeting, submitted by Colleen Doggett, Center Garden Club
