Clarksville's Blue Star Memorial Dedication in Clarksville

From In the Garden

As promised, Clarksville's Blue Star Memorial marker was installed at the Montgomery County Courthouse on Monday, November 7, 2009. The day could not have been better and there was a great showing of dignitaries, garden club members, veterans, and the general public.

Here are some faces in the crowd. All were enjoying the day and marveling over the dedication of the garden clubs in Clarksville in order to bring this much needed and overdue marker to Clarksville. Clarksville (along with Oak Grove and Hopkinsville Kentucky) is the home of Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

Fort Campbell is the home of the elite 101st Air Assault Division. Fort Campbell was also my very first duty station in the Army so it holds a special place in my heart. Not only did I start my 20 year career here at Fort Campbell in 1985, but I finished my Army career here too. Fort Campbell is most special to us in the Ramsey household and due to the great weather, land, and cost of living we made the decision to retire here and put down roots way back in 2001. Mr. Fix-it and I have never regretted that decision and days like this help to reinforce the reason why we settled here-the great concentration of veterans and supporters.

From In the Garden

There are three distinct areas of Tennessee called 'Grand Divisions'. There is East Tennessee, Middle Tennessee, and West Tennessee. Clarksville is located in northern Middle Tennessee right on the border of Kentucky. The above picture is taken from downtown Clarksville looking toward the Red River. We are fortunate to have at least two major rivers run through our town. We are also lucky to be able to enjoy the many benefits of Kentucky and Tennessee all rolled into one. Recently Clarkville was voted the 4th best place in the country to start a business as ranked by CNN Money. Clarksville has also made the list of Best Places to Live several times over the past few years. If that weren't enough to sell you on Clarksville, Reuters reports Clarksville leads the way in the recovery of the recession and in fact, it is reputed the recession has barely touched us here in Clarksville. A big reason for that buffer (in my humble opinion) is the military. It is only fitting Clarksville come together to honor the military not only for their many contributions during this month of Veteran's Day, but also for their support of the city and surrounding communities.
As a veteran of 20 years and having been to three separate wars, a member of a family who has long served the military, a wife of a soldier who is slated to deploy and himself a veteran of two wars, a mother of two daughters (one a veteran and the other currently serving in Iraq), and finally, as a gardener, I am most honored to have been a part of the movement to bring a Blue Star Memorial Marker to the heart of Clarksville. It is a fitting tribute; a reminder to all who visit Clarksville, and it so intimately ties gardening with my former career that I couldn't be more overjoyed the Blue Star Memorial marker came to fruition after two years of work. Way to go everyone who worked on bringing it here, especially Annette and Helene who spearheaded the movement and brought in the other two garden clubs. Beachaven, Clarksville, and Les Candides Garden clubs rock! A special thanks to the mayors of both the city of Clarksville and Montgomery County for jumping on board and supporting the effort. The marker looks great downtown....

in the garden....

P.S. This should count as a post about where I hail from as requested by Janie at An Obsessive Compulsive Plant Collector. Though I do not live in Clarksville, it is the biggest thing around here and generally where I count as being from.

Update: According to our local newspaper Business Week has just named Clarksville as Tennessee's best place to raise kids. Another feather in the hat for Clarksville.