A like number of memorial trees in the Veterans Court of Honor along Kingshighway was cut down. They were known as Gold Star Trees when they were selected shortly after the war to serve as reminders of the city’s fallen heroes.

A spokesman for the Millstone Construction Co., contractor for the section of the expressway which passes through the memorial area , said each concrete encased bronze marker was carefully removed by hand and turned over to the Department of Parks, Recreation and Forestry.

The markers were embedded in concrete three to four feet deep and required about six weeks to remove, he said.

Stored in Warehouse

Palmer B. Baumes, commissioner of parks and recreation, said he believes the city “owes it to the Gold Star Mothers and their boys” to restore the markers. However, “there is no definite restoration plan at present, he said.

The plaques are being stored in a warehouse in north St. Louis.

The markers were placed in the ground beginning in 1926, each replacing a small copper star which originally was used to mark each Gold Star Tree. The project was undertaken by the Gold Star Mothers with the assistance of the National Society of World War Registrars.

The upper side of the marker bore the name and rank of the serviceman, his branch of service, division, and time, place and cause of death when known. The reverse side told when and by whom the plaque was erected.

Court of Honor Site

The Veterans Court of Honor extended along Kingshighway from Easton to Florissant avenues and on part of Bircher boulevard in the vicinity of Kingshighway.

The construction company spokesman said some of the trees that were removed in the area

of Florissant avenue will probably be replaced. A permanent record of the names on each plaque and the original location of each marker is on file in the Soldiers Memorial in the Plaza, Baumes said.

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Updated December 24, 2008
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