Celebrating at Service to America Night

Ann Dillon, President General

Last evening’s Educational Awards Night was so inspiring. It was also wonderful to recognize students and educators who are so passionate about history. I am in awe of these young people and their amazing work. The essay winners each read a portion of their essays and it is easy to see why they were our national winners! The NSDAR Book Award was presented to Washington's Immortals by Patrick O'Donnell, and I highly recommend reading this wonderful book.

Congratulations to the 2017 Outstanding Junior, Paula Eichenbrenner! The Outstanding Junior Contest exists to recognize members who are 35 years old or younger who devote themselves to DAR with service that is above and beyond, while also balancing the demands of families, homes, careers and other civic and religious service.

Paula is a member of the Eleanor Wilson Chapter in the District of Columbia. A 17-year member of DAR, she has been active at the chapter, state and national levels. At the chapter level she has served multiple terms as chapter regent and as several chapter officer positions and chairmanships. Paula has been a page and delegate to the DC State Conference and has served DC as a state vice chair, state chair, officer of the Page Club, Juniors Club, Chapter Regents Club and State Officers Club. At the national level, she has paged for 15 years, served as a National Vice Chair and currently serves as National Vice Chair of the Page Event. She has also served as a C.A.R. Senior leader at the local and state levels. Paula resides in Alexandria, Virginia where she is the Executive Director for the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy Foundation. She is active with the Smithsonian Institute, Tulane University and volunteers at her church.

Today will resume daytime business sessions, where we will begin to hear the reports of the State Regents. We will also hear the nominations of candidates for Vice President General. The business sessions of Congress are often a great place to gain new ideas for projects or initiatives from State Regents’ reports and take back to your own state and chapters. I encourage you to attend and learn about the outstanding work that DAR is doing across the country.

Be sure to stop by the Congress Shops in the Texas Lone Star Lounge. Additionally don’t miss the opportunity to enter the raffle win a diamond insignia at the President General’s Project Tables.  Sales of project items will be located both at the Hall and in the Hotel.

I am thrilled to be attending the DAR School Luncheon this afternoon where we will hear from the students and faculty from the DAR schools and learn more about the important services our schools provide and get a glimpse into the programs they offer.

If you are a pre-registered delegate, but have not made your way to registration yet, you can register this evening at the Grand Hyatt from 6 – 8 p.m. on the Constitution level. This courtesy is only available to pre-registered delegates with proper identification.

This evening’s Service to America Night is going to be a fun experience for Congress attendees. We will be celebrating your amazing dedication to the Service to America initiative and this will be your opportunity to interact with your National Chairs and learn more about their committees.

I am excited to hear our guest speaker, Michael Quinn, President and CEO of the Museum of the American Revolution this evening. During his presentation, Mr. Quinn will offer insights into both the treasures of the Museum of the American Revolution’s collection and the journey that brought the Museum into being. He will also touch on how the Museum can be used as a resource and how those outside of the Philadelphia area can interact with the Museum of the American Revolution.

I am looking forward to seeing you all there!

send-a-commentSend Us a comment