VFW Post 879 quartermaster Rex Brown unveils the new Blue Star memorial marker being dedicated by District IX of the Garden Club Federation of Pennsylvania at North Boundary Park on Tuesday in Cranberry Township. Joseph Ressler/Butler Eagle

CRANBERRY TWP. — District IX of the Garden Club Federation of Pennsylvania rang in Flag Day on Tuesday by dedicating a new Blue Star memorial marker at North Boundary Park.

The memorial plaque, emblazoned with “A tribute to the armed forces who have defended the United States of America,” honors all who have served in the military.

At the dedication ceremony, Garden Club members and representatives from the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 879 celebrated the installation of the memorial.

VFW Post 879 color guard captain Frank Jansen carries the U.S. flag to retire the colors during the dedication ceremony of the Blue Star memorial marker at North Boundary Park on Tuesday in Cranberry Township. Joseph Ressler/Butler Eagle

Karen Faust, District IX director and Garden Club Federation of Pennsylvania Blue Star Marker Chair, said District IX started the process of bringing the marker to Cranberry in fall 2021. The marker was installed in the park about eight weeks ago, and Garden Club members helped with the landscaping and flowers around the pole.

“The whole thing is to honor our veterans — past, present, and future,” Faust said. “This is a very visible area, where a lot of people, and a lot of children, will understand.”

Dan Santoro, Cranberry Township manager, agreed that the location, just adjacent to the Cranberry Township Community Waterpark and the Veterans Memorial, was an ideal spot.

“We’re proud to be a host of the memorial within Cranberry Township,” he said. “It’s a great location for it. Lots of people are traveling through.”

The memorial is the fourth Blue Star marker to be dedicated in Butler County. One more is located in Cranberry, and two are located in the city of Butler.

Leeanna Ryba, vice president of the state garden club, explained that Blue Star markers are a National Garden Club program, and the markers exist across the country.

“Pennsylvania has quite a few markers and byway markers,” Ryba said. “We’re trying to get them at all the entrance ways into our state. Plus, clubs are putting them in their communities, too.”

Rev. Benjamin Wright delivers the benediction during the dedication ceremony of the Blue Star memorial marker at North Boundary Park on Tuesday in Cranberry Township. Joseph Ressler/Butler Eagle

An attendee plants their flag after the dedication ceremony for the Blue Star memorial marker sponsored by District IX of the Garden Club Federation of Pennsylvania at North Boundary Park on Tuesday in Cranberry Township. Joseph Ressler/Butler Eagle

An attendee holds a flag during the dedication ceremony for the Blue Star memorial marker sponsored by District IX of the Garden Club Federation of Pennsylvania at North Boundary Park on Tuesday in Cranberry Township. Joseph Ressler/Butler Eagle

Janet Eck, of the Ingomar Garden Club, listens during the dedication ceremony of the Blue Star memorial marker at North Boundary Park on Tuesday in Cranberry Township. “When I hear these songs I think, ‘My God, my family made it here,’” said Eck after a rendition of “God Bless the U.S.A.” Joseph Ressler/Butler Eagle