Veterans Day: Remembering Those Who Served Our Nation
Junelle Mongno, Reporter General and Dana Capaldi, National Chairman, DAR Service For Veterans

Dana Capaldi, National Chairman, DAR Service For Veterans
Chief Master Sergeant (E-9), USAF, Retired

Each November 11th, we gather to recognize the bravest of our citizens: the many people who have served in the military to defend our freedom. Veterans Day honors all military members, regardless of the war or conflict, or if they survived or perished. 

Did you know there are 18.8 million veterans living today? On Veterans Day, please take time to honor those that have served our great country.  You can do this in many ways, but a simple “thank you for your service” is always appreciated.  Even then, you may see them shy away from this gratitude. For most, their service is a calling to be part of something greater than any individual.

Click here to see a list of projects undertaken by the DAR Service for Veterans Committee. We encourage you to fly Old Glory, attend and participate in your local parade and events, and let the nation see our support for our amazing veterans!

This chair extends the sincerest of appreciation for my Executive Liason’s service to our country.  Junelle Linke Mongno, Reporter General, served as a Captain in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War.

Junelle Mongno, Reporter General
Captain, USAF, Retired

As we approach Veterans Day, it is fitting to recognize and reflect on the children of our DAR members who have served in the military. They may have been enlisted or officer, or have retired from service or paid the ultimate price with their life in service to this country. In 132 years, and with over one million members, there are countless numbers of DAR members’ sons and daughters who have served. We are indebted to all for the sacrifices they endured to ensure the freedoms we enjoy today are preserved.

What about our Honorary Presidents General? Did they have sons and daughters who served our country? Our Historian General’s office staff has located information about 8 of 45 past Presidents General whose children served in the military. To date, here is what they discovered:

  1. Caroline Scott Harrison (1890) – After her death in 1892, her son served in the Spanish-American War. He was commissioned as a Major and Inspector General May 1898 and served in Puerto Rico. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in January 1900 and discharged December 1900.
  2. Cornelia Cole Fairbanks (1901-1905) – After her death in 1913, her son served as a captain in World War I.
  3. Edith Irwin Hobart (1929-1932) – Her son was a 1st Lieutenant during World War I.
  4. Marion Moncure Duncan (1962-1965) – Her son served in the Coast Guard. 
  5. Eleanor W. Spicer (1971-1974) – She had three sons who served in the military. One retired as Captain from the United States Navy Medical Corps, one retired from the United States Marine Corps; and one retired from the United States Marine Corps Reserves.  Mrs. Spicer’s son-in-law, a Major, United States Marine Corps, paid the ultimate sacrifice with his life in Korea in 1950.
  6. Ann D. Duffie Fleck (1986-1989) – Her daughter served in the United States Air Force after graduating from college in 1975. 
  7. Wayne Garrison Blair (1992-1995) – Her daughter was a Colonel in the United States Army Nurse Corps.
  8. Denise Doring VanBuren (2019-2022) – We continue to appreciate the service of her son who is currently a Major in the United States Army after graduating from the United States Military Academy West Point.

It is entirely possible this in not all inclusive. Should readers of this blog have additional information on other children of past Presidents General who served in the military, please send to the Historian General’s office.  A special thank you is extended to the Historian General’s Office staff for identifying these sons and daughters who served our country.

Of course, many Daughters have served. A few years ago, members who are veterans were asked to include their service information in their member profiles. To date, 1,810 DAR members have documented their service.    

Veterans Day, the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month – a day set aside to remember. As I ring the bell in the bell tower at the Jacksonville Museum of Military History this year, I will be remembering not just the sons and daughters of our Honorary Presidents General, but my DAR grandmother’s two sons who served – one of them was my father. Who will you be remembering?

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