Garden Club members with Larry Hume. From left: Pam Sykes, Janette Wittmann, Cherry Jones, Larry Hume, Lisa Albers, and Robbie Kerr
November 13, 2024 - The Center Garden Club gathered at the Blue Star Memorial in front of the Community House on San Augustine Street in honor of Veterans for Veteran’s Day.
Special guest speaker, Larry Hume, VFW Post 8904 Adjutant, was invited to speak, “On Veteran’s Day we like to remember all of those who are still alive, the Veterans. It's a special group that I would like to remember, the veterans of World War II. You know the 16 million men and women who served in World War II, there are less than 250,000 alive today. Can you imagine when the day comes when there'll be no more World War II veterans walking on God's green earth? It's coming, it's coming really quick too.”
Larry Hume, Veteran, places a wreath in front of the Blue Star Memorial
Hume added many can identify with WWII veterans saying, “I know I can, my dad served, and I'm sure everybody's had their World War II veteran. So, I'm gonna place this wreath in the honor of those World War II veterans who are still with us today. May God bless them.”
A Garden Club representative said, “We're appreciative of all of our Veterans, especially Larry Hume who came and spoke for us today. We appreciate their service and sacrifices for our country.”
Garden Club members listen to Larry Hume speak about the reason for Veteran's Day and highlights the decreasing number of WWII Veterans still alive.
The Blue Star Memorial Marker was installed in November of 2010 after the Center Garden Club voted to adopt the “Blue Star Memorial Highway Program” of the National Garden Clubs, Inc. to honor the men and women of the Armed Forces that have defended the United States of America. The name was chosen for the star on flags displayed in homes and businesses denoting a family member serving. The Shelby County marker was sponsored by the Center Garden Club in cooperation with the City of Center.
