Today's DAR
The America 250! Committee hosted the first of four statewide celebrations to be held during the Wright Administration. The inaugural one, Celebrate Connecticut – the Provision State - took place in Hartford, CT, at the Old State House. These statewide celebrations, designed to showcase the people, places and events that help secure our liberty, are part of the national celebrations being conducted in honor of the Semiquincentennial. Realizing that each of the original 13 states had too many significant contributions to honor separately, these statewide celebrations were conceived. Future Wright administration celebrations will include Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and New York.
Celebrate Connecticut with the America 250 Committee!
Planning the event fell to Lori Walters, National Vice Chair America 250! Events, and as it turned out, so did leading the event since I was left waiting at my home airport with a flight that was eventually cancelled. In attendance at the event besides our executive officers was State Regent of Connecticut, Lisa Melland, visiting State Regents Barbara Seningen (Delaware), Kay Sternenberg (New Hampshire), Nancy Lisle (Oklahoma), National Chair Insignia, Mary Tedesco, and the Connecticut Daughters. After hearing greetings from our President General Pamela Wright, Lori shared greetings from the Governor of Connecticut and then introduced our first speaker, Dr. Larry Maxwell, as Benedict Arnold.
It’s not often that we show appreciation to Benedict Arnold – and for good reason! However, when Dr. Larry Maxwell portrays Connecticut-born Benedict Arnold to the delight of those assembled for the Celebrate Connecticut event, he, Dr. Maxwell that is, is worthy of commendation. As good fortune would have it, Dr. Maxwell, then, donned the uniform of the Continental Army in time for the presentation of the America 250 Commendation and Certificate for his continued work in educating the public about the American Revolution. The America 250! Commendation and Certificate was also presented to the Old State House representative Sally Whipple.
The keynote address was presented by Connecticut State Regent Lisa Melland who taught us about Connecticut’s moniker as the Provision State. The America 250! Committee appreciates Mrs. Melland’s presentation, especially as she hosted her State Conference immediately after our events concluded.
Fittingly, Daughters helped provide provisions through donations at our service project to Hands on Hartford. The non-profit secures food and perishable food items for the local Hartford community. Additionally, donations were presented to the Old State House to help with activities and work promoting history and education. For example, the historic meeting of George Washington and his aides: Alexander Hamilton, Marquis de Lafayette, French General Comte de Rochambeau occurred at the Old State House.
Tours of the Old State House were available as was the American Revolution Experience Traveling Exhibit, a joint project of the American Battlefield Trust and the DAR, which was arranged for by the Connecticut Society and will remain at the Old State House for another week.
After lunch, Lori Walters introduced Damien Cregeau who presented a program on two Connecticut Patriots, Captain Nathan Hale and Major Benjamin Tallmadge. Mr. Cregeau was also presented with the America 250! Commendation and Certificate for his life’s work of educating others about the people and places surrounding the American Revolution.
Where would a celebration of Connecticut be without a quiz prepared by CT Daughter, Marion Driscoll? Appreciation is expressed to her and to the many Connecticut Daughters who assisted with the décor and served as Pages for the event.
Since each state among the original 13 are varied – so will be their celebrations! I hope you will join us in October as we Celebrate Pennsylvania and learn more about its contribution for our cause. Watch the America 250! DOC page for details.
