The Blue Star Memorial Highway marker on state Highway 155 is to be moved soon.
It will be placed in a more noticeable space-the grounds of the Cass County Courthouse.
Cass County is crossed by two Blue Star highways. First, there is Highway 155 from Linden to Palestine. The second is U.S. Highway 59 from Houston to Texarkana. Its memorial is in Bowie County on the west side of U.S. 59 close to Wright Patman Lake.
The Atlanta District of the Texas Department of Transportation also has a third Blue Star Highway. It is U.S. Highway 271 from Paris to Gladewater.
The meaning of Blue Star Memorial Highway goes back a half century. During World War II, the blue star was a recognized symbol placed in the homes of families who had a son or daughter serving in the military.
In 1945, the National Council of State Garden Clubs originated and suggested the idea of a Blue Star Memorial Highway program to honor these and future servicemen and women. The memorial highway idea would also encourage roadside beautification across the United States.
The system began with one east-west and seven north-south highways. Garden clubs along the way were invited to participate. Each club would purchase the memorial plaque for its county or region and take responsibility for the beautification of its location.
Texas garden clubs joined the program early. The Texas Highway Department agreed to install and landscape the memorial sites.
State Highway 155's marker was placed in 1976 by Linden Garden Club, Cass County Historical Society and the WWI Veterans and Ladies Auxiliary. The site chosen was two miles west of Linden's city limits.
Joe W. Lovelace of Linden was master of ceremonies for the Oct. 31 installation. County Judge Bennett Hill welcomed guests who included Kim Dowd, Lori Rich and Toni Cates of the Linden-Kildare High School Band providing music; Fred McClung of the historical society leading the Pledge of Allegiance; and prayer by the Rev. John Birkelback of the Linden United Methodist Church.
Also, U.S. Rep. Sam B. Hall Jr. gave a history and described the purpose of the memorial highway marker program. Then, Mrs. Ted Eders, president of the Linden Garden Club, presented the marker to the state. Mr. and Mrs. M.D. Humphrey unveiled the marker. Mrs. Bill Curry, Mrs. Virgil Hawkins, Mrs. Ola Hall and Mrs. B.H. Hooten were also present.
Over the years, the Blue Star plaques began to include rest areas, scenic turnouts and roadside parks.
Now, 41 years later, a better plan is needed for the Highway 155 marker, said Marcus Sandefur, public information officer for the Atlanta District of TxDOT.
"The speed limit has risen along this highway from 55 to 70 miles per hour and there is a property owner's driveway directly across from the memorial turn-off," he said. "This is creating a safety concern here for people should they stop and try to re-enter traffic."
Some damage has occurred to the site and marker, perhaps by people turning off here for other reasons than to read the marker, he added.
The highway department met with the land owner, the local history society and the Linden Garden Club to plan the memorial marker's relocation to the Cass County Courthouse, where it will more likely be seen and appreciated.
The land owner has agreed to pay the cost of refurbishing the marker itself, and TxDOT will take down and reinstall the marker, Sandefur said.