In first for Pa., Gold Star marker will honor families of fallen troops at Patriot Park

David Hurst, The Tribune-Democrat, Johnstown, Pa.
·1 min read

STOYSTOWN, Pa. – A tribute to military families whose loved ones died defending the United States will soon adorn Patriot Park near Stoystown.

The Gold Star Memorial Marker will be the first one placed in a Pennsylvania park, organizers said.

A dedication of the marker is being planned at Patriot Park, located at 6150 Lincoln Highway near Flight 93 National Memorial. The memorial park pays tribute to more than 7,000 service members killed in Iraq and the wars against terrorism.

"We are honored to be the first Gold Star Memorial Marker in Pennsylvania and at Patriot Park," said Linda Musser, a Patriot Park Foundation committee member.

The Blue and Gold Star Highway, By-Way and Memorial Markers program is overseen by National Garden Clubs Inc., which originally started its Blue Star Memorial Marker efforts after World War II.

Blue Star markers honor all living U.S. service members and are located across the nation, including a series placed at stops along the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The newer Gold Star markers are tributes to families who lost loved ones defending the U.S.

Patriot Park Foundation will sponsor a dedication ceremony for the marker at 11 a.m. Aug. 12. The event is free and open to the public.

The Somerset Garden Club and the Garden Club Federation of Pennsylvania partnered with Patriot Park to add the marker.