When A Blue Star Turns to Gold

Author: Janet Cress Payne

ISBN 978-1-62137-859-4 (hardcover)
ISBN 978-1-62137-858-7 (softcover)

As Sarah Dyson replaced the Blue Star flag with the Gold Star flag in her living room window, she couldn't help but recall the wonderful years she had with her son, Don, watching him grow up in the mountains of North Carolina and Tennesee. At the age of twenty-six, Don was drafted into World War I, also known as the "Great War," and sent to France where he was killed in action and later buried at Meuse-Argonne Cemetery. Then twelve years later, Sarah received an invitation from the Government of the United States to make a pilgrimage to the cemetery in Europe where the remains of her son were buried. This book contains copies of her original diaries, pictures, letters, and the correspondence she received from the U.S. Government pertaining to her trip with the Gold Star Mothers in 1930.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Janet Payne has lived in the East Tennessee mountains all of her life. She met her husband, Ray, and raised three wonderful children who are all public school teachers. Besides writing, Janet is a self-taught stained glass artist who designs and makes stained glass windows and lampshades. She was awarded the 2015 Daughters of the American Revolution American Heritage National first place award for a stained glass lamp she designed and made for her home. In 2016, Janet was again awarded the American Heritage National first place award by the Daughters of the American Revolution for a quilted wall hanging she designed and made for her nephew, Lieutenant Colonel Rod Stout, who is serving in the U.S. Air Force.