A successful BlueStar Memorial Fundraising Effort

“Our Veterans. We don’t know them all, but we owe them all” – Anonymous

UPDATE: We are pleased to report that the effort to establish a Blue Star Memorial at the west end of Doc Mock Park in Patagonia has succeeded! A huge round of thanks to all of you who helped us reach our fundraising goal in record time. 

The Blue Star Memorials were initiated in 1945 by the National Garden Clubs, Inc. to create living memorials for all military service members. In 1917, Army Captain Robert L. Queisser created and patented the Blue Star Service Banner which was hung on houses whose member(s) were on active duty. Up to 5 stars could be displayed on a single banner to indicate 5 members from that household were currently in service. If the member died in action, a gold star was added to the banner.

A ceremony is planned for July 4, 2026, at 1 pm in Doc Mock Park to celebrate this memorial exhibit.

The total cost of this project is $2.700 and we have already begun collecting pledges. If you would like to donate, please, make your checks payable to the Patagonia Museum with Blue Star noted on the memo line. If you prefer to donate online, send us a note and we’ll enable that for you. Excess funds will be used for the purchase of US flags displayed at the Patagonia Cemetery, one for each veteran’s grave.