community service

 In 2010 the Hilliard Area Garden Club (HAGC) originally planned the Veterans Memorial Project with the cooperation of the City of Hilliard and American Legion Post 614. Utilizing the hardscape installed by the American Legion in the '80's, we removed overgrown shrubs and a few mature trees in the spring of 2011 with the aid of City of Hilliard's staff and a backhoe. White Knock-Out roses were planted around the main flagpole. The 3-year budget proposal of $10,000, and design by Dennis Karem, landscape architect, was presented to the Hilliard Budget Committee. The project was approved along with modest annual stipend for the project.

The largest portion of the project was completed in fall of 2011, with the removal of the remaining shrubs and completion of a stone retaining wall around the main flagpole and a smaller one at the parking lot entrance. The American Legion volunteers worked on installing pavers along existing walkways and started an engraved paver site around the main memorial. Plantings included boxwoods surrounding the main memorial, sentinel maples around the perimeter of the site and narcissus bulbs in front of the main flag pole.  

We continue to maintain the site and plant annuals in red, white and blue each spring, expanding to include new flower beds by smaller flagpoles and near the Veterans Memorial sign. A butterfly garden was added in 2013. We received an award from the Garden Club of Ohio for our 3-year project in fall of 2014 and recognition from the National Garden Club. The Blue Star By-Way Marker was approved by the Club and installed October 18, 2015 with a beautiful dedication ceremony, honoring our veterans. The Blue Star Memorial is sponsored by the National Garden Club to recognize those who have served, are currently serving and will serve our country.