Blue Star Marker Dedication on Memorial Day

Among special events marking Memorial Day on Monday will be a dedication ceremony by the and the Richmond Museum of History of a Blue Star Marker at the SS Red Oak Victory in Richmond. The marker honors those who have served and will serve in the armed forces.

"We are a Blue Star city," El Cerrito Mayor Bill Jones noted at the May 15 City Council meeting, alluding to the two Blue Star Markers in El Cerrito, one at City Hall and one at Arlington Park. "And Richmond by doing this will join us in that select group of cities that have a dedicated Blue Star memorial."

Jones will be one of the participants in the 11 a.m. ceremony that will include also Congressman George Miller, Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia and other local public leaders. 

The Red Oak Victory, a Victory Ship built at the Kaiser shipyards in Richmond in World War II, is being restored under sponsorship by the Richmond Museum of History in affiliation with the Rosie the River/World War II Home Front National Historical Park, which celebrated the Saturday.

The El Cerrito City Council at the May 15 meeting passed a resolution recognizing "the importance of the solemn dedication of the Blue Star Memorial By-Way Marker on May 28, 2012 on the occasion of Memorial Day in Richmond and encourages all residents to join in honoring and remembering all of our brave service men and women, past and currently serving and pay homage to  those who made the ultimate sacrifice on the Country's behalf. May we also offer our best wishes to the families of military personnel and strive for a just and lasting peace in our world." 

The resolution, which is attached to this article, notes, "The Blue Star Memorial Program was developed by the National Garden Clubs of America in 1945 to pay tribute to the Armed Forces that defended our country during World War II and expanded over time."

El Cerrito City Hall and most other public offices will be closed on Memorial Day, a national holiday.

Correction: The original version of this article incorrectly referred to the SS Red Oak Victory as a Liberty Ship. It was a Victory Ship.

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