Gold and Blue Star Memorial Markers unveiled at Fort Hawkins

"We remember, and as the last lingering note of taps resounds in the distance, we remember," said Jan Thiese, Garden Club of Georgia, Blue & Gold Star Marker Chairman.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Part of “Eternal Father” was sung by Alan F. E. Thiese, YNC Retired, U.S. Navy after the unveiling of the Gold and Blue Star Memorial Markers at Fort Hawkins.

The markers were unveiled by a Gold Star Family, the brothers of the late Medal of Honor recipient USMC Sgt. Rodney Davis, Gordon Davis and Robert Davis and U.S. Army Veterans John Goolsby and James Gazaway.

The Gold Star Marker honors the families whose loved ones gave their life while serving in the United States Armed Forces, and the Blue Star Marker honors all who have served, are serving or will serve.

“We remember with every step of the Honor Guard at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier,” Garden Club of Georgia, Blue & Gold Star Marker Chairman Jan Thiese said. “We remember with every drum beat on the fourth of July. We pledge allegiance to our flag and we remember at the sound of reveille, we remember, and as the last lingering note of taps resounds in the distance, we remember.”

“As I stand here before these plaques this morning, I can’t help but to think about the day when I arrived home from school and there were people at my house,” Rodney Davis’ sister Debray Ray said. “I walked into my house and it was very silent in there, and then I saw something. I saw a star on the door hanging on the door, and I remember saying to my mom at the time, I thought they only did that in movies. I didn’t know this was a for real thing, and she said to me, ‘Yes, this is a for real thing.’ That day we lost our brother.”

“It’s my hope that these markers here, that it attracts people to visit, to learn, to be educated about this period in our history, and to take time to honor our brave men and women that have served,” Macon-Bibb County Mayor Lester Miller said.

“What better place than Fort Hawkins, the birthplace of Macon, where the first veterans served in Middle Georgia,” U.S. Army Veteran Michael Lynch said.

If you want to see the new markers in person, they are located at Fort Hawkins off Emery Highway.