A Visit to the Spanish Ambassador's Residence

Submitted by ADeFrancesco on

A Visit to the Spanish Ambassador's Residence

Ann Dillon, President General

Last year I had the pleasure of meeting with a delegation from the Spanish Embassy to get acquainted and to reaffirm the mutual appreciation we have for one another’s ongoing support and recognition. 

Many of us are familiar with the assistance given to the new Republic by Bernardo de Galvez, but are unaware that Spanish troops stationed in Presidios throughout the Southwest voluntarily made contributions to the US Colonies to assist in efforts to win independence

During our meeting, His Excellency Ramon Gil-Caseraes, Spain’s ambassador to the United States, suggested that perhaps the DAR might like to come to his home for a reception.  Imagine my sincere appreciation when he invited the whole National Board of Management to join him during our February Board Week. 

It was with some initial trepidation that two very full busloads of Daughters from across the nation, all wearing red for National Wear Red Day, pulled up to the elegant residence of the Spanish Ambassador in the Foxhall neighborhood in D.C, but we were of course warmly welcomed with gracious hospitality.  We were greeted in a main living/assembly room replete with paintings of King Alfonso XIII and his wife Queen Victoria Eugenia on one wall and Flemish tapestries on another.  The space was elegantly modern with a wall of glass providing a peaceful panorama of the Virginia hills to the Potomac River. 

Once greetings were exchanged we descended to the lower level for coffee, tea, wonderful pastries and an opportunity to visit with His Excellency as well as other members of the Spanish Embassy and Cultural Office.  After many photographs and conversations, we left this island of Spanish hospitality and traveled to dinner atop a local hotel with a vista of the city as sun set over the river. 

It was a magical evening in every way and sincere appreciation is expressed to the Spanish Ambassador and his staff for hosting us and to Shari Thorne-Sulima, National Board Event Chair, and her team for coordinating the arrangements.

View a slideshow of images here.