Nevada Daughters Rise and Shine for DAR!

April in Washington, D.C., means, of course, the profusion of Japanese Cherry blossoms around the Tidal Basin and throughout the city.  But it also brings the return of the Executive Committee for its week of executive deliberations and events. This year’s session was exceptionally busy and packed with purpose. I’m delighted to share a short summary of our activities and actions.

Activities:

One of the greatest honors of our administration has been commemorating the centennial of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. On Tuesday, we were given the privilege of placing our National Society’s 102nd annual consecutive wreath upon the Tomb to remember those whose identity is known only to God. It was a special time for us, as we were also invited into the Tomb Guards’ quarters to meet two of these fine young Americans. DAR holds the unique distinction of having the longest, unbroken chain of placing an annual wreath upon the Tomb, which we have done each year since 1921.

Our National Headquarters welcomed Hungarian Ambassador to the United States Szabolcs Takas and nearly 100 of his guests as he sponsored a panel discussion and World War I Centennial Photography Exhibit to launch a new book by Hungarian photographer and businessman Attila Szalay-Berzeviczy. A portion of the U.S. sales of the book, “In the Centennial Footsteps of The Great War,” will benefit the World War I Memorial in Washington, D.C. The presentations, exhibit and reception provided the opportunity to discuss the current events unfolding in Eastern Europe and compare them to those that led to WWI. This event was held on April 6 (the 105^th anniversary of the U.S. entry into World War I) and concludes our National Society’s commemoration of the Centennial of World War I. Earlier in the week, I enjoyed a small private dinner at the Ambassador’s home. The conversation was fascinating, the food delicious and the setting extraordinary.

What a joy to be greeted by the Nevada Daughters for their 97th State Conference! There are 18 vibrant chapters here filled with dynamic women in service to our mission. State Regent Lori Bagwell is the Mayor of Carson City, and so it was especially fun to gather in “her city” for the conference. There is a wonderfully warm energy amongst the women here, and about a quarter of those attending were either new members or first-time attendees. It was invigorating to meet them and hear about their involvement in our service organization.

I am impressed by the accomplishments of the 950 members of the Nevada State Society. I was also grateful for their generosity, as they presented me with a $10,000 check toward my President General’s Project, the Next Act for DAR Constitution Hall. I was honored to have the opportunity to address the conference at Sunday’s luncheon and to host a Heritage Club event for the generous donors of Nevada, as well. Furthermore, they also voted to erect an America 250 historic marker in their state (as we strive to place at least one in each of the 50 states for our nation’s upcoming 250^th anniversary).

Nevada Daughters also collected funds and supplies to support local students and teachers through the Community Classroom Committee. It was a joy to spend time with National Chair Diane Waugh Oliver, who spoke about her committee and its work to provide support to local classrooms, as well as academic lesson plans.

It was certainly a privilege to attend the Conference Banquet on Saturday evening, with its highlight of the presentation of two NSDAR Medals of Honor. Dawn and Jim Forbus have been longtime, stalwart supporters of the Nevada Honor Flight, assisting tens of thousands of veterans to take the trip to their memorial. In addition, the Forbuses voluntarily assist veterans in obtaining all of the government benefits that are due to them. Jim is retired U.S. Army, and the couple now operates a real estate firm (“to support their Honor Flight habit,” says Jim). They generously donate $1,000 from the sale of each home to Honor Flight Nevada, helping local veterans to visit not only Washington, D.C, but also places such as Pearl Harbor.

On Sunday afternoon, the sun greeted us at the Lone Mountain Cemetery for a most inspiring ceremony. State Regent (and Mayor) Bagwell had recently gathered dozens of community volunteers and organizations to restore Civil War veterans’ graves, install a new flagpole, plant flowering trees and raise awareness of the sacrifice of those who served at Fort Churchill, a nearby Civil War-era site. She engaged the local Rotary Club, other elected officials, the Army National Guard Military Honors Team, the local VFW post, Civil War and Cavalry historic re-enactors, a local Eagle Scout candidate and others in the project.

Both the project and the ceremony are great examples of our National Society’s commitment to historic preservation, education and patriotism – and it was a joy to see DAR shine as the organizing entity. Please enjoy this brief interview that describes the project and those involved.

Mrs. Bagwell arranged for a red, white and blue finale to my official visit. We toured the North Bay Industries plant in Carson City, where all Flags of the U.S.A. west of the Mississippi are made for the Department of Veteran Affairs - each will ultimately be given to a veteran when he or she is laid to rest. All materials are made and processed in America, and the team here is composed of developmentally and physically disabled adults. Their attention to detail and quality control is staggering, and the respect shown to the Stars and Stripes is remarkable. Between 300 and 320 flags are produced with pride here EVERY workday for a total annual production of nearly 80,000 flags! C.E.O. Robert Hutt took time from a busy schedule to give us a private tour — and surprised me with a Flag … what a treasured keepsake! (You may purchase Flags made here at thier website).

I am next looking forward to several visits this week within driving distance of my home in the Hudson River Valley of New York State. Tag along on my trip by following my DAR President General Facebook page, where you will also find additional photos of my wonderful trip to Nevada.