Portion of Highway 93 dedicated to veterans

NINEPIPES — On Nov. 11 at exactly 11 a.m. TAPS played from coast to coast, and a special ceremony took place in front of the Ninepipes Museum to dedicate Highway 93 as a Blue Star Memorial highway, one of only a few in the state.

The Mission View Garden Club of Charlo [MVGCC], a chapter of the Montana Federation of Garden Clubs [MFGC], was largely responsible for erecting the eight foot high bronze sign that stands on the property of Ninepipes Museum, and twenty or more military personnel and civilians came to witness the historic event.

The sign, Garden Club members explained, serves to remind us of those who have served, are currently serving and those that will serve our country. The sign was dedicated to WWII vets, but the Blue Star has come to symbolize a tribute to all vets over the years.

"To me, it is an active tribute to our vets," Garden Club project chairman Hope Stockstad said of the sign.

For about 50 years, the sign originally stood in the Rose Memorial Garden in Missoula, but the MFGC acquired the sign when it was replaced by a new one. The sign was then given to the MVGCC.

"I believe it was given to us because we have been members of the Montana Garden Club for over 50 years," Stockstad.

The origins of the Blue Star can be dated back to 400 B.C. when Alexander the Great made use of the symbol for heroism. George Washington pinned the symbol on heroic soldiers who served under him. In 1917, the symbol was embroidered on flags that hung in homes to signify that a family member was in the service. Since WWII, the symbol has been a fixture on markers designating highways to war vets. However over the years the markers — including the highway markers — have expanded to show appreciation for all military personnel both past and future, explained MFGC President Ruth Layton.

"This marker stands for all to see lest we forget those who keep us free," Layton said.

Many of Garden Club members have loved ones in the military, including Rita Peters who dedicated the sign. At 84, she is one of the oldest active members of the organization. Her son is a Navy Captain and she expressed her gratitude toward those who have dedicated their lives to protect this country.

For this tight knit group of approximately 30 Lake County members, the acquisition of the dedication marker is yet another accomplishment after owning and maintaining a park in Charlo and doing landscape work for the National Bison Range.

This is the seventh highway marker to be erected in Montana since WWII. Since then, several have been vandalized, explained Montana Blue Star Committee Chairman Carol Neil of Missoula.

While there is no guarantee the marker will be safe from vandalism, steps have been take to ensure that it will be protected from being removed due to highway expansion, Stockstad explained. Being on private property, it rests on a "safe harbor." She thanks Ninepipes Museum for giving the marker a home.

The spirit of those who have served cannot be measured," said veteran Frank Huber during a speech.