The dedication ceremony for the Gold Star Memorial, held on Sunday, November 10, was a poignant tribute to the sacrifices made by service members and their families. Sponsored by the Crofton Village Garden Club, Crofton Greenery Garden Club, and the greater Crofton community, the event took place along Route 3 North, near the entrance to the community. Attendees included local Gold Star families, community members, and dignitaries, all gathered to honor the memory of those who have lost their lives in active military service.
​
Gold Star families are defined as families who have experienced the loss of an immediate family member due to military service. The memorial not only recognizes the sacrifice of the service members but also acknowledges the profound grief and ongoing healing of their loved ones. This ceremony served as a reminder of the legacy of courage and sacrifice, emphasizing the importance of supporting those who have lost so much in defense of their country.

At the January 10th monthly Crofton Kiwanis Club membership meeting presentation at the Crofton Library, attendees learned about a local program to purchase and install a Gold Star Memorial on Route 3 near the main entrance to the community. The location will be near the site of the Crofton Kiwanis Foundation's twice annual display of U.S. "Flags for Heroes".

The memorial project is in celebration of Crofton's 60th Anniversary, and jointly coordinated by the Crofton Village Garden Club and the Crofton Greenery Garden Club. The name Gold Star is from the custom of families of service members hanging U.S. wartime service flags in their home windows, bearing blue stars for a family's living armed forces members and gold stars for deceased military members.

The current objective is to dedicate a 7-foot high Gold Star Memorial inscribed marker next to the Crofton main entrance in a ceremony on Sunday afternoon, November 10, 2024, in honor of Veteran's Day.

​Shown in the photograph above are Marcia Richard, Chair of Crofton’s Gold Star Memorial Committee; and Committee Co-Chair and Crofton Civic Association President Anna O’Kelly, each holding Kiwanis' "Crofton 60th Anniversary" gift mugs; along with Crofton Kiwanis President Mike Pierre and Crofton Kiwanis Club Vice President and Program Chair Renee Mackey.