Planted dogwood trees along Panhandle Pathway, at the Blue Star Memorial at Winamac Railroad Freight Depot.

Iris-Elm president David Zahrt and wife Wanda finish planting a dogwood.

The Blue Star Memorial Program’s origins began in 1944. During World War II, families hung a banner in the window of their homes, which was a service flag with a blue star representing each family member in the U.S. Armed Forces. For those who lost a loved one, the blue stars became gold stars. In 1944, the New Jersey Garden Club planted 8,000 dogwood trees along a highway as a living memorial to veterans of World War II. In 1945, the National Garden Club adapted the idea and established the Blue Star Program, which placed Blue Star Memorial plaques on highways and by-ways across America to honor service members.

The Iris Elm Garden Club project was made possible by a 2021 grant from the National Garden Clubs (NGC) through their Plant America Community Project Grant. Organized in 1929, the NGC’s mission is to provide education, resources, and national networking opportunities for its members to promote the love of gardening, floral design, and civic and environmental responsibility. Local civic development projects distinguish the NGC from other gardening organizations. Today’s National Garden Club has over 225 thousand members and 8,000 clubs in 50 states, plus international clubs in Mexico, Central and South America.

In partnership with the Winamac Town Parks’ long range plans, the Iris-Elm Garden Club completed the project in three phases. Phase I was completed on Aug. 14, 2016, with the installation of The Blue Star Memorial By-Way Marker at the Freight Depot, with plans to expand the development of the area. Continued care and maintenance of the area remains ongoing. The second phase was the expansion of the brick apron near the marker and additional landscaping in the form of a pollinator garden. This made it more inviting to enjoy the caboose and the Freight Depot, as well as providing a bee and butterfly friendly garden. The third, and largest phase, was completed this month with the planting of 12 dogwood trees. This spectacular landscaping is in keeping with the 1944 origins of the program and serves as a living memorial to the nation’s military service men and women. The Winamac Pathway Park is now even more inviting to bees and butterflies, and the community at large.

This third phase was the biggest and most difficult to complete. The members of the Iris-Elm Garden Club are deeply grateful for the work and support of Boy Scout Troop #229, Reece Shidler with Proscapes, David Schambers of Schambers Masonry, Frederick Zahrt, chairman emeritus of Winamac Tree Committee, Jon Chapman with Edward Jones Financial Services, Tim Wiegand of Ace Hardware, Glenn White of Form-It Corp, and to the community.

“Thank you to all those who purchased Iris-Elm’s decorated pumpkins at Healey’s Fall Fest or winter containers at Winter Wonderland – we hope you will continue to enjoy horticultural pursuits,” said David Zahrt, club president. “Our thanks for the financial support from the North Central District of the Garden Club of Indiana and the grant from the Plant America Community Project Grant. This six-year project was a true community effort.”

The Iris-Elm Garden Club encourages interested individuals to consider joining in the civic efforts and expanding their horticultural knowledge by joining the club today. Meetings are on the first Thursday of the month at 10 a.m., March through December. The Iris-Elm Garden Club is in its 91st year and is a member of the North Central District of The Garden Club of Indiana and the Central Region of the National Garden Clubs. Iris-Elm can be contacted on Facebook, or send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..