Visiting the Old Line State

The 109th Maryland Conference convened in Hunt Valley, Maryland on March 20, 2014, Linda Mistler, State Regent.  With a theme of “Volunteerism is the Heart of our Society” and an emblem of Minute Men, we were all reminded of the importance of Maryland in the Revolutionary War.   According to some historians, Maryland acquired its nickname from General George Washington.  He bestowed the name "Old Line State" and thereby associated Maryland with its regular line troops, the Maryland Line, who served courageously in many Revolutionary War battles.

Linda’s theme is “Volunteerism is the heart of our Society” and the 3,000 members in 45 chapters are very busy volunteering indeed. Barbara Hensley Carpenter, Recording Secretary General, was honored at the conference along with guests Vice President General Ginger Trader and Alabama State Regent Connie Grund.

The Minute Man Banquet convened Thursday evening with the majority of members attired in a variety of colonial gowns.  Edward Chow, Jr., Secretary for the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs and a loyal friend of Maryland DAR, participated in the awards presentations. The State Outstanding Junior, Carolyn Lunking, was presented and it was a pleasure to share the news that she is a National Finalist. 

The conference activities continued Friday morning with the Heritage Club breakfast where I welcomed and thanked the generous donors to the National Society.  At the Business session, reports were given by state officers followed by a Parade of Chapters and Committees in which a summary of the chapter and committee reports were read as the regents and chairs walked down the center aisle.  I was thrilled to hear the DAR Magazine Committee Chair reported a 32% subscription rate for the entire state!

The highlight of the conference was the “Honoring our Vietnam Veterans awards Luncheon” The audience rose and applauded enthusiastically as the 44 veterans were escorted to their seats in front of the head table.  Tara Lampman Boulden, Commemorative Events Chair, opened the presentation with “We have the opportunity to say, ‘welcome home and thank you’ for your service to over 40 of our worthy heroes who answered the Nation’s call to serve at a difficult time.” While she read a summary of their military experiences, Linda Mistler, Sec. Chow and I thanked them for their service and presented lapel pins and certificates.

One gentleman was a graduate of Berry College, Timothy A. Gilbert. On the day he graduated from Berry he learned his twin brother had been killed in Vietnam and decided then to apply to Officer Candidate School so he, too, could serve. He was a "tunnel rat" and lived underground in the dimly lit tunnels built in the 1940s by French soldiers. Mr. Gilbert endured 90 days of constant bombing by the Vietcong. He was later wounded trying to save an elementary school and its teacher from a bomb placed by the Vietcong.

The Maryland Daughters were proud to recognize three of their own members:

• Major  Evelyn DeLuca-Widmer began her military career in 1969 as an enlisted Navy Wave and retired in 1994 as a Major.  She was recruited into College ROTC in 1973, the only female in the class. 
• Capt. Carolyn J. McEvers Kapusta, USA Nurse Corps (Ret.) served from 1966-1968.  She was assigned to 93rd Evacuation Hospital, Long Binh, Vietnam as Assistant Head Nurse Surgical ICU/Recovery Ward.  
• Barbara Ann Kent Browne, Lt. Col. USA (Ret.) had the unique distinction of serving both as a Department of the Army Civilian as well as an Active Duty Service Member of the United States Army.

One of the veterans recognized, George “Sky” L. Skypeck, is a prominent military-historical artist as well as a combat wounded and disabled veteran.  He served two combat tours as a special warfare and senior intelligence adviser from 1967-71 in isolated outposts.  He is a renowned artist and generously presented me with a print of “The Spirit of the Alamo Lives On” which depicts the military and veteran sacrifices of the Lone Star State. 

The last veteran we honored was Secretary Chow who was surprised by the recognition.  He was a Captain in the US Army, serving in Vietnam from 1966 to 1967 and was awarded a Bronze Star.  At the conclusion of the presentation, all rose again to thank these brave men and women for their service, fifty years later.  Linda Mistler announced the entire honor guard was veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan and we had the opportunity to express our appreciation to them as well. 

Friday afternoon the guests were treated to tea and a tour of the Chapter House in Baltimore.  In 1953 the State Society purchased a Queen Anne style chapter house, built the same year the State Society was organized in 1892.  The lovely home serves as the state headquarters and a meeting place for chapter and state events.

With a Scottish theme, the Friday evening banquet featured entertainment by the Baltimore City Pipers and Dancers with a Scottish bagpiper and dances, including the dangerous sword dance.  Many of the members and guests wore tartans.  It certainly put me in the mood for the “Honoring our Scottish Heritage” trip in October! 

Five lovely Debutantes were presented as they aged out of C.A.R. and became DAR members.  Escorted by C.A.R. members, each debutante curtsied before the State Regent who presented them with a gift. The evening concluded with my speech on the activities and objectives of the Young Administration.

The last day of the conference began with the Cameo Breakfast, followed by more chapter reports and awards.  The luncheon featured the Maryland C.A.R. Societies and youth awards and the Outstanding Teacher of American History. 

The Maryland Daughters have much to celebrate as they not only give generously of their time at National Headquarters, they also achieved a net gain in membership and 100% participation in the President General’s Project!  Volunteerism IS the heart of our Society!