WHAT: Dedication and Unveiling Ceremony for the Blue Star Memorial Marker 
WHEN: Wednesday, November 28, 2001 at 10:00 AM

WHERE: New Jersey Veterans Memorial Home in Menlo Park, 132 Evergreen Road, Edison, NJ

DIRECTIONS: From the Garden State Parkway exit 131 (Route 27) bear to the right off the Parkway. Turn left onto Evergreen Road. The home is ½ mile on the left. From Route 1 North (2 miles north of I-287) take the Parsonage Road jughandle and cross Route 1. At the 3rd light turn right onto Oakwood Ave. The home is ¼ mile on the right. From Route 1 South (about 1 mile south of the Parkway) turn right onto Parsonage Road. At the 3rd light turn right onto Oakwood Ave. The home is ¼ mile on the right.

DETAILS: The original concept for the Blue Star Memorial Highways program was developed to honor the significant contributions and sacrifices that military service members made in protecting our national security and freedom. The program was launched in 1944 by the Garden Club of New Jersey and was the first of its kind, inspiring the national program. Today there are more than 70,000 miles of highways with Blue Star Memorial Markers nationwide. The Blue Star Memorial Highways take their name from the blue star in the service flag. In 1993, the portion of New Jersey Route 22 designated as the first Blue Star Memorial Highway in the nation was re-dedicated as New Jersey's Blue Star Memorial Drive. Interstate Routes 78, 80, 287 and 295 were also dedicated as Blue Star Memorial Highways. Blue Star Memorial Markers are also placed at Veterans Homes or Veterans Hospitals to honor those who have served in the nation's armed forces. The Blue Star Memorial Highway Council is responsible for overseeing the program in New Jersey and has representative membership from: The Garden Club of New Jersey, The Department of Military and Veteran Affairs, The New Jersey Department of Transportation and The Department of Environmental Protection, Historic Preservation Office. 

Mrs. Tiby Wotherspoon, a long time member of the Blue Star Memorial Highway Council, personally provided the funds to purchase the Blue Star Memorial Marker that is being dedicated on November 28th at 10:00AM at the Veterans Memorial Home in Menlo Park. She will also be celebrating her 98th birthday on November 28th. Mrs. Wotherspoon continues to be a very active member of the Garden Club of Watchung and has served on The Garden Club of New Jersey Executive Board from 1969 to 1999. During these years, she has served as both member and chairperson.