Wrapping Up an Amazing Virtual 129th Continental Congress
Denise Doring VanBuren, President General

I hope you will agree that our National Defense Night was inspiring! The heartfelt remarks of each honoree were touching to me personally, and I hope reminded you of our important role to support those who wear – and who have worn – the uniform of our nation. I am truly sorry that we could not stage it at our beloved DAR Constitution Hall, but that did not diminish the magnitude of the evening’s message. Thank you, Daughters, for supporting our nation’s servicemen and women, as well as our veterans. You can view the entire National Defense Night ceremony here. (The Voices of Service video is different from when it streamed live. We had the ability to share their America's Got Talent clip during the program but not on replay. I hope you enjoy the Voices of Service song, "Rise." What an appropriate song for this administration!)

View the President General’s Sunday Video Message

We have a busy day on the horizon to conclude our official business. Our annual Memorial Service will be followed by the Installation Ceremony for new State Regents, State Vice Regents, one Honorary Vice President General and seven Vice Presidents General. Congratulations to these newest members of the National Board of Management. Our Congress will conclude with closing remarks and final rap of our gavel. Tune in this morning at 10:30 a.m. ET.

While I hope that it is the only one of its kind, I am proud of the programming that was produced to stage this Virtual 129th Continental Congress. Dozens of volunteers worked behind the scenes to create the seamless sessions that you witnessed.  Our hard-working Staff, particularly those in the Public Relations department, worked around the clock for the last six weeks in order to make this virtual Congress a reality.  There were a thousand moving parts but somehow: we did it.

I have experienced many emotions this week. But feelings of pride and gratitude surpass them all. I am proud of the way you embraced this daunting undertaking -- and grateful for the trust you put in us to deliver a weeklong celebration worthy of being called Continental Congress. I hope you agree that we met that lofty goal.

It is an honor of a thousand lifetimes to serve as your 45th President General.  I shall never be able to adequately express my gratitude to hundreds of you who reached out to express your support to me during recent weeks. Please know that it propelled me forward in conducting this virtual celebration of our combined achievements. It is a privilege to be a member of our vibrant, compassionate and giving Society of modern women.

Take the afternoon off – and let’s get back to the business of DAR first thing tomorrow – because I am looking forward to celebrating you IN PERSON at the 130th Continental Congress, June 30-July 4, 2021 (when we return to the J.W. Marriott Hotel!).

Please enjoy some behind the scenes photos of creating the Virtual 129th Continental Congress as well as photos of some of the people who helped make this historic event happen.

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