Today's DAR
The past several days have afforded me the joy of reconnecting with some of the most important parts of our DAR support system: members of the Sons of the American Revolution (many of whom are Husbands of DAR, or HODARs) and my beloved local chapter members. After more than a year apart from these folks, it felt empowering to be reunited in person to renew our shared commitment to patriotic service.
Reunited – And It Feels So Good!
National Society Sons of the American Revolution 131st Annual Congress
NSSAR members gathered in beautiful Renton, Washington, just outside of Seattle, for their annual conference (after cancelling last year’s due to the pandemic). In total, nearly 400 attendees took part in the five days of meetings and special events, just about the typical number of participants they expect during their every-other-year trip to the West Coast.
I was honored to provide greetings on your behalf to the conference, and I even extended to NSSAR President General John T. Manning the rare privilege of being a “Sol Sister,” given that he served during the pandemic. I’m expecting he will be the only male member of our leadership circle! Seriously, I am grateful to Jack for his friendship during the difficult year that we shared in chief governance positions within our respective organizations.
Dozens of Daughters attended the Sons’ Congress, which included many of the same hallmarks that you would find within a DAR version, e.g. a Memorial Service, Youth Awards, evening ceremonies and lots of camaraderie. It also featured top-notch speakers, including General James N. Mattis, U.S. Army Ret.
One highlight was the annual Joseph S. Rumbaugh Historical Oration Contest finalist competition. Six outstanding young people competed on patriotic/historic topics of their choosing, each passionately and persuasively reciting on his/her subject for five minutes. Though competition was fierce, judges ultimately selected an impressive young woman from Florida as this year’s winner.
The short trip also afforded me the opportunity to meet with Washington State DAR Regent Lauri Langton, who spoiled me with an excursion to the famous Seattle Space Needle. Built for the 1962 World’s Fair with its theme of “The Age of Space,” the tower’s futuristic design symbolizes humanity’s Space Age aspirations. Since its grand opening on April 21, 1962, the landmark, which stands 605 feet tall, has become one of the most photographed structures in the world. The tower’s 520-foot saucer-shaped “top house” offers visitors 360-degree panoramic views of Seattle’s downtown, Mount Rainier, Puget Sound, and the Cascades and Olympic mountain ranges. It was a magnificent day, and the view was, indeed, grand!
I am grateful for the abundant hospitality and warm welcome provided to me. I express my special appreciation to all of the SAR members, and especially those who double as supportive HODARs, to further our shared mission of service all across the nation.
Melzingah Chapter 125th Anniversary Celebration
Upon returning home to New York State, I attended my own chapter’s 125th anniversary celebration, which was expertly hosted by our Chapter Regent Joan Miskell and featured an outstanding keynote address by New York State Regent Patrice Powley Birner. Melzingah Chapter received its charter on June 4, 1896, in what is today the City of Beacon. Begun by Katherine Wolcott (who later married to Samuel Verplanck), the chapter continues to thrive in our location about 60 miles north of New York City.
In fact, thanks to the diligence and enthusiasm of Chapter Registrar Nancy Giordano, we welcomed 26 new members, 14 of whom were Junior Members, during the course of the pandemic. What a thrill it was to witness the oath of membership administered to seven of them at the luncheon, our first large in-person social gathering in more than a year.
Our annual luncheon also features our tradition of raising funds to assist local veterans who participate in the National Veterans Wheelchair Games. While we have long supported these and other veterans at our local Castle Point VA Medical facility, we have also conducted our American History essay contest faithfully for decades and complete many other DAR Committee projects throughout the year.
Still, we are most frequently recognized locally for our stewardship of the c. 1709 Madam Brett Homestead, which Melzingah Chapter saved in 1954 (when plans were announced to remove it for a supermarket!) and has operated as a house museum ever since. It is the oldest extant structure in our county and was visited by Washington, Lafayette and many other Revolutionary War figures during the course of the conflict, which festered here along the Hudson River.
I am so proud of my chapter for completing the important work of DAR in our community for 125 years, through good times and in bad. Everything that I learned about the kindness, camaraderie and dedication of DAR members flowed from the hard-working, devoted women who welcomed me as a Junior member back in 1988. I know that Mrs.Verplanck would be proud of our continued vibrancy and our enduring relevancy – just as I know that the founders of your chapter are proud of you for your dedication to carrying forward our important mission.
