MACON, Ga. — The Federated Garden Clubs of Macon are now one step closer to installing two new memorials for service members and their families.
Macon-Bibb commissioners approved a measure accepting the donated markers Tuesday night. The group plans to put them at the Fort Hawkins visitors center.
One will be a blue star marker, honoring all military service members, past and present. The other will be a gold star marker, which honors families who lost a loved one in the line of duty.
"It was an outpost and an important part of Macon," said Jan Thiese, the blue and gold star marker chair for the Garden Club of Georgia.
Thiese knows Fort Hawkins well. She attended school on the historical site and grew up just down the hill. Now, she hopes to further the history of the spot with new markers honoring service members.
"Having these markers here hopefully will be another place where people will come and see them, and be reminded of those who serve our country," Thiese said.
A military wife herself, installing the markers just means more.
"My husband is a 21-year Navy veteran," Thiese said. "My heart swells. I always participate, or at least attend the dedications. We have a big dedication ceremony once the markers are installed."
Now, after a unanimous Bibb County commission vote, Thiese will get the chance to install memorial markers just steps from where she grew up. She'll do it while continuing her efforts to show veterans and their families their sacrifices matter.
"When you spend time around those in the service, they just start to hold a really special place in your heart, and you just want to do everything you can to show your appreciation for them," Thiese said.
The Federated Garden Clubs of Macon will donate one blue star memorial and one gold star memorial to the county. After the commission's approval, final say goes to Macon-Bibb County Parks and Beautification Director Mike Glisson.
Macon has several markers already, including the state's first gold star memorial in Rosa Parks Square. There's another blue star marker alongside it. Thiese says there's another blue star marker on Houston Road, and the city's oldest blue star marker is on I-475.