Briana McGinty

A Blue Star Memorial marker was recently dedicated to The University of Southern Mississippi’s Center for Military Veterans, Service Members and Families by the Hub City Garden Club, honoring those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.
The ceremony took place at the Quinlan-Hammond Hall of Honor on the Hattiesburg campus and included student veterans, community members and university leaders.
The Blue Star Memorial program began during World War II as a tribute to U.S. service members. Since then, garden clubs nationwide have installed markers in public spaces to honor both current and former members of the military. The marker at USM is one of 65 located in Mississippi.
“It means everything because we didn’t go to them, they came to us,” said Maj. Gen. Jeff Hammond, director of the center. “They said, ‘We want to put a Blue Star Memorial in South Mississippi, and we want to do it right here.’”
The Hub City Garden Club partnered with the Garden Clubs of Mississippi to sponsor and install the marker. The dedication ceremony included remarks from club members, university staff and local veterans. Attendees gathered outside the building for the formal unveiling, followed by a moment of silence and a salute to service members.
Gen. Hammond said the gesture reflects support for the military community on campus.
“It helps us realize we’re probably doing okay here if someone wants to do something like that on our campus at this location,” he said. “Plus, it honors every branch of service that have done anything along the lines of defending this country.”
USM has a longstanding commitment to military-connected students. The university recently received a “Gold Status” Military Friendly School designation and was ranked among the top 10 “Military Caring” universities in the nation.
Established in 2014, USM’s Center for Military Veterans, Service Members and Families supports more than 1,700 military-connected students. The center provides resources such as academic advising, mental health referrals, financial aid guidance and a community space.
“Basically, what we do here is help veterans and their dependents secure whatever benefits they’re allowed from the VA and then get them enrolled in the university to help better themselves,” said David “Red” Rayborn, VA certification specialist.
The facility, located inside the Quinlan-Hammond Hall of Honor, includes lounges, computer labs and meeting rooms, offering student veterans a central place to access services and connect with peers.
“These programs help students transition from military service to college life and prepare them for careers after graduation,” Hammond said.
“We created this program to help military-connected students to not get a degree—we won’t let them get away with that,” he added. “They’re here to get a profession, to get a job.”
Student veterans at USM come from a variety of military branches, including the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard. Many are nontraditional students balancing academics with work, family and prior college experience. The center’s goal is to support them from enrollment through graduation.
The new Blue Star Memorial marker is located at the entrance of the center and is open to the public. The cast aluminum marker honors the sacrifices of all who have served and serves as a permanent reminder of the university’s support for its military community.