Soaking Up the Rays All Across the USA!
Denise Doring VanBuren, President General

It is a joy to share that the sun is again shining all across our great nation, and that our National Society is bursting forth with new energy and excitement after too many months of darkness. In the last 11 days, I had the opportunity to witness this solar phenomenon firsthand when visiting five states, and being warmed by both friendships and our shared commitment to America at each stop. (Dare I say that our future is so bright, that we’re all going to need shades?)

Enjoy these select highlights from each of these outstanding events – and visit my DAR President General Facebook page for more photos and details from each:

Nebraska, March 9-13

“Happy Trails to Nebraska DAR” was the official theme of a fun-and substance-filled weekend in Kearney, NE. State Regent Candace Cain brought her special spark of energy when presiding over her Society’s 120th State Conference. More than 1,200 Daughters fulfill our mission here in the Cornhusker State, and the state officer, committee chair and chapter regent reports illustrated their outstanding shared commitment to our work; e.g., the Nebraska Daughters tallied 40,060 hours for Service to America in 2021!

Among many highlights was the presentation of a surprise Americanism Award to Paul Younes, an immigrant from Israel who is a successful businessman and philanthropist in Kearney. In addition, we congratulated Wilma Wolford of the Fort Kearney Chapter for 75 years of DAR membership; she joined DAR in 1947 at the age of 19, and she credits hard work and faith as the secret to her long life. Also honored was the Nebraska DAR Outstanding Teacher of American History Nathan Bassett, who teaches middle school students at Lincoln Lutheran Middle/High School in Lincoln, NE. Dozens of Leadership Training Course graduates also “graduated” from the Members, New Horizons and Committee Leader courses.

Miss Cain selected the traditional prairie farming windmill as her symbol and enjoyed a successful term, working under a theme of “Winds of Freedom Over the Prairie By Being the New Pioneers of Leadership.” More than 100 members and guests attended the spirited conference – each of whom left with a renewed commitment to shining forth on behalf of DAR. Thank you, ladies, for the hospitality, generosity -- tears and laughter!

Missouri, March 13-15

The Daughters of the Show Me State showed me an outstanding time! When prior commitments kept me from attending their state conference, State Regent Joan Magee arranged for three days of special (and extraordinary) events for my benefit.

Upon arrival, we enjoyed a visit to the National World War I Memorial and Museum in Kansas City – it was exceptional! Be sure to put it on your bucket list.  On Monday, we visited the beautiful Madonna of the Trail monument in Lexington. Part of Mrs. Magee’s State Regent’s Project was to install a new concrete foundation/fencing and refurbish the monument, which is one of 12 that honor the pioneer women who settled the west. The Missouri Madonna is special, however – for the National DAR Chair for the project and the sculptor both hailed from here, as did the trail’s biggest supporter, Harry S. Truman, who attended its dedication. From there, our group traveled to historic Arrow Rock, where an early DAR member preserved a c. 1834 tavern that is now owned by the state and operated as a restaurant.  Nearly 100 Daughters later turned out to welcome me to the State Society’s lovely Roslyn Heights headquarters that evening for their “Show Me Sunshine” reception in my honor.

I had the privilege the next morning of providing the keynote address in the Rotunda of the Missouri State Capitol during a ceremony to add the names of two Patriots, John Hahs and Eusebius Hubbard, to one of their several veterans’ plaques. Nearly 10 descendants of these men attended the ceremony, which attracted more than 200 participants. The official event was preceded by a private tour of the Governor’s Mansion and followed by a delicious dinner at Roslyn Heights. I departed with wonderful memories, deeply inspired by the kindness, generosity and commitment of our Missouri Daughters.

California, March 16-17

How wonderful to celebrate here with my Sol Sisters! California State Regent Susan Broderick staged her first and final in-person state conference, as she has a two-year term that included a virtual version last year. She made the most of every minute with engaging content, as well as opportunities to reconnect after two years apart from one another. With nearly 500 enthusiastic participants – a full quarter of whom were first-time attendees – these women turned out to report on their achievements, renew friendships and have a lot of fun. Especially enjoyable was the Wednesday evening costumed karaoke session.

It was a pleasure to visit the California State Society’s Mission Style headquarters in beautiful Glendora. Afterward, we traveled to Upland to view the most-westward Madonna of the Trail. She has high visibility along a heavily traveled highway that dates to early historic roadways that traversed this portion of the state, and she is clearly well cared for by local Daughters and her community.

I had the privilege of providing the keynote address during Thursday evening’s opening night ceremony, which also featured outstanding award recipients. Former California First Lady Maria Shriver accepted the DAR Medal of Honor (virtually) in recognition of her work to fund Alzheimer’s research. A Vietnam Veteran was recognized for creating dozens of special courts to assist veterans with emotional issues. The Outstanding Teacher of American History and Veteran volunteers were honored, as were American History Essay Contest winners and Good Citizens. It was a special treat for me to meet the young woman who was the statewide winner in our new high school-level essay contest that focuses on the Patriots of the American Revolution, as this was the first time that I had met one of these students; she chose to write about Mercy Otis Warren. Madam State Regent: brava on an exceptional 114th State Conference!

Louisiana, March 18-19

Perhaps because I regrettably had little more than 12 hours here and my visit had been postponed from 2019, I enjoyed every single moment of my time with the warm and welcoming Louisiana Daughters! The conference was held at the historic and beautiful Hotel Bently in Alexandria.

State Regent Charlotte White has done a remarkable job of inspiring her members during her term, and the 113th State Conference was a chance to celebrate three years of achievement (as this was her first and last in-person conference of her term). Her theme has been “Formed Through Service, Building Up in Love,” and her symbol has been a coral reef (inspired by her love of scuba diving!). I was especially pleased to recognize dozens of chapters that had completed their 100 Percent Participation in the President General’s Project for this administration. Thank you, ladies, for your support.

I am grateful to have addressed the assembly at Friday evening’s Opening Night celebration and was impressed to meet the exceptional award winners honored as part of the ceremony. For example, their Outstanding Veteran Volunteer is a retired U.S. Navy Commander and attorney who has advocated with great success for health benefits for veterans through the nonprofit organization Military-Veterans Advocacy. Daughters also honored their American History Essay Winners and Good Citizens. I regret that my travel schedule kept me from enjoying their officer and state reports, but it was evident to me that there is a wonderful sense of energy and purpose here in the Pelican State.

I was deeply touched that the conference serenaded me with its rousing rendition of “You Are My Sunshine,” and everyone even donned sunglasses while sharing the song! How thoughtful – and how fun! It was simply joyous to watch these women reconnect with one another after being kept apart since 2019 by the pandemic. While they may have been physically separated, it is obvious that they remain deeply united in service to our mission, National Society and one another.

Wisconsin, March 19-20

Wow, Wisconsin. Just wow! Thank you for an astounding experience in Milwaukee! My official visit here was scheduled and postponed twice due to the pandemic but the third time was the proverbial charm – and this visit was worth the wait! State Regent Brenda Majewski deserves a special “pin” for her patience and perseverance in ensuring that my visit with her Daughters would be memorable.

It began with a delightful tea at the storied Women’s Club of Wisconsin — the first U.S. corporation exclusively formed and held by female shareholders. It was a pleasure to meet with members of the Milwaukee Chapter, whose early Daughters were also influential in creating the downtown club, which is beautifully maintained and decorated.

On Saturday evening, we gathered at the fabulous Pabst Mansion, and then I was afforded the honor of addressing attendees from the home’s grand staircase. The extraordinary setting is an outstanding example of historic preservation, as it is one of only two remaining (of the 60) elaborate mansions that once lined “Grand Avenue” here.  Captain Frederick and Maria Pabst completed the mansion in 1892, and the home was the scene of many receptions, a wedding and even the Pabsts’ funerals. In 1908, it became the archbishop’s residence of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese. When it was sold in 1975, the mansion was nearly torn down to make way for a parking lot. After a three-year crusade, it became an award-winning house museum.

Among the special guests were three veterans and two officers of the Blue Star Mothers of Wisconsin; Mrs. Majewski and I share the special bond of also being Blue Star Mothers. My visit ended with a tour of the Wisconsin County Veterans’ Memorial and Park, which sit on the shore of Lake Michigan. The current rotating exhibit focuses on WWII posters.

With Gratitude

At every stop of this journey, I was greeted, transported, toured and spoiled by Daughters who extended too many kindnesses and thoughtful gifts to count. Seeing their smiles and feeling their warmth was perhaps the best part of the trip... Thank you, Nebraska, Missouri, California, Louisiana and Wisconsin Daughters for shining your light to welcome me – I am basking in your glow!

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