It's HERE! The Virtual 129th Continental Congress has Begun!
Denise Doring VanBuren, President General
Welcome to the Virtual 129th Continental Congress! We will make history as we together launch our annual convention this evening at 7 p.m. ET with an outstanding Opening Night Ceremony – one that deploys online technology and connectivity to complete the business of the Society. I hope that you will be a part of this groundbreaking event – and I thank you, in advance, for embracing this opportunity to demonstrate that we truly are Today’s DAR!
The theme of tonight’s ceremony is “Honoring Our Patriots,” and we look forward to recognizing individuals who research and share the stories of our Patriot ancestors, thereby not only honoring the memory of these men and women but also making history both relevant and impactful for future generations. Learn more about this evening’s ceremony here.
Of course, while it will be a bittersweet Opening Night Ceremony not being able to host it in DAR Constitution Hall, the one benefit of not gathering in person this year is that we were able to begin the historic restoration work for The Next Act project in the auditorium early! Thank you for supporting this tremendous undertaking. The results are sure to be astounding.
I continued a tradition begun in 2015 to open our Continental Congress by recognizing all of the Daughters who have sustained our Society when I had the privilege to lay a wreath at the Daughters Tribute in the Memorial Garden. It was an honor for me to remember the contributions of our fellow members on your behalf, though distancing restrictions made it a rather lonely tribute; this video captures the short ceremony: Daughters Tribute Wreath Laying.
I hope that you are planning to take part in many of the terrific events that have been arranged for your edification and enjoyment today. Virtual versions the Membership Committee Forum and the Patriotism Luncheon are two examples. Today’s Registrar General’s Forum will include presentations focused on non-military sources for Revolutionary War Patriots and our DNA Outreach Committee. And thanks to the ability of technology to transport me to remote locations from the comfort of my office, I expect to join both the Page Meeting and the Vice Presidents General Club event to bring greetings and thank them for their service to the National Society.
While we cannot join together at our beautiful Headquarters building this year, there is no reason why we cannot unite to enjoy a Continental Congress that is every bit as patriotic and lively as those of previous years. It’s all about the enthusiasm we bring to this “new normal,” and I have no doubt that we can make this a Congress to remember for all the right reasons!
Today's DAR
