How is Your Chapter Honoring Your Patriots?

The following article appeared in the America 250! Committee’s August 2021 Patriot Post Newsletter. I thought it would be beneficial to share here as well as it gives resources for many different ways to highlight Our Patriots in local communities:

Huzzah, Daughters! I am immensely proud of the way that you are raising the visibility of Our Patriots in your community (both in person and online). This work speaks to the joyful obligation we share to ensure that their memory and accomplishments are not forgotten – thank you for making this a priority of this administration. Here are timely ways that you can express your appreciation for their legacy:

- Have you ordered your copies of the new Our Patriots coloring book? It features 55 Patriots of the American Revolution – and you can buy a single copy or a case of 38 from the DAR Store. Though written for middle-school students, it will be enjoyed by history lovers of all ages. The book was researched and written by Historian General Laura Kessler and was illustrated by Alabama Daughter Laura Murray. It is also available online through Amazon.

- Have you listened to the Our Patriots DAR Podcast? Each episode is devoted to a man or woman who helped to achieve American independence and is taken from the pages of American Spirit magazine. Subscribe to the new series, which features a new episode every Tuesday and Thursday, wherever you download your podcasts or via the Our Patriots DAR Podcast website.

- Has your chapter or state considered placing an America 250 Patriots marker?  The program was established to honor the memory of the men and women with whom we have a sacred compact to ensure that these United States of America continue as a government of the people, by the people, for the people. It is also designed to raise appreciation amongst current and future generations of Americans of our Patriots’ sacrifice for their benefit. Our National Society’s goal is to place at least one marker in every state in advance – and in celebration – of the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary. There are no stipulations about where the plaques may be placed, indoors or out, e.g. parks, cemeteries, town squares, schools, municipal buildings, historic sites and private properties visible from a public street. We hope that these new markers will also become sources of pride for local communities to celebrate the brave Patriots who founded our nation – and a reminder of the importance of emulating their conviction, courage and cooperation toward national unity. Read more here.

- Have you located and marked the graves of local Patriots buried in your community? This was some of the earliest and most important work of our chapters. Learn more about the process here. And if the grave has already been marked, please consider placing one of the new temporary grave commemoratives available at the DAR Store on the site, along with an American flag, during important holidays.