Del City, Oklahoma Patriot Park Blue Star Memorial

The Blue Star Memorial Marker is located at the end of a concrete walk leading northeast from the Del City War Memorial. The Marker was placed in this approved site to honor service in the U.S. Armed Forces, and dedicated on November 11, 2011. The Marker features the National Garden Clubs, Inc. logo mounted on top, a cast-aluminum, copper & olive drab green-colored plate with gold-leaf raised lettering, affixed on a 7-foot pole. The center plate is 41” high and 45” wide, and the marker stands some 7’ 6” tall overall. The lettering is identical on both sides. A large blue 5-pointed star is the focal point of the marker, followed by the wording: “BLUE STAR MEMORIAL” and “A TRIBUTE TO THE ARMED FORCES THAT HAVE DEFENDED THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.” The sponsoring Midwest City Council of Garden Clubs in cooperation with the City of Del City and Del City Beautification Committee are recognized. (Note: Del City is a city in Oklahoma County, Oklahoma, with a population of some 22,008 (2014), is part of the Greater Oklahoma City (OKC) Metropolitan Area, and borders southeast OKC, Midwest City, and Tinker Air Force Base.) (Note: Patriot Park is the site of annual Veterans Day Ceremonies in which Active and Reserve Component military units and individuals, Veteran Service Organizations, civic, governmental, and fraternal organizations, local businesses, citizens, youth groups, and veterans participate. The park is a very veteran-friendly environment and unique in that it participates in the Del City “Adopt a Unit Program” by adopting 2 units: an Air Wing from nearby Tinker Field, and a Transportation Company of the Oklahoma National Guard. In addition, it provides reserved parking for combat wounded veterans visiting the facility.) (Note: The Blue Star symbol is borrowed from a World War I tradition to recognize serving members of the Armed Services. That tradition continues with a blue 5-pointed star prominently placed on Memorial Markers, as on this Marker, and also centered on special banners (flags) with a white field and red border. The banner is typically displayed in homes, to denote a family member actively serving in a war or during a period of armed conflict. Patriot Park currently flies a Service Flag which is also known as a Blue Star Flag.)