A Message from President General Denise Doring VanBuren s members of the DAR, we stand at an important threshold. The sacrifice of our Revolutionary ancestors and the accomplishments of the Daughters who went before us stand behind us; and stretching out on a bright horizon is the best A opportunity in our lifetimes to expand awareness of both our Patriots and our National Society. That platform, of course, is our nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary. States have been asked to appoint State Chairs for the America 250 celebration as we begin to make plans for long-lasting projects that will stand as a legacy for the commemoration. It is equally important that we raise awareness of – and appreciation for – the Revolutionary generation that forged our nation. As a result, we have established a new vice chairmanship within the America 250! Committee called “Our Patriots.” It will focus on celebrating the memory and the spirit of the men and women who achieved American Independence, as we fulfill our foundational commitment to honor the Revolutionary generation and its democratic accomplishments. I urge you to find ways big and small to honor these men and women and what they accomplished. Please refer to a recent Today’s DAR Blog for a request to conduct an annual Patriots Memorial Service within your chapter. Seize opportunities via social media to tell the stories of our Patriots. Are there streets, public buildings or municipalities in your community that are named after Revolutionary War figures? Find fun and meaningful ways to celebrate them in order to increase public awareness of these ordinary people who achieved extraordinary things. Make this celebration your own – be creative and build excitement for the upcoming 250th anniversary. I particularly encourage you to seek out the stories of female, foreign-born and minority Patriots, whose deeds were often left out of traditional histories. We owe it to every individual who aided the cause of our liberty to honor their courage. If not us, who? If not now, when? The time is indeed now to step forward and salute the men and women who achieved American independence. Please join us in the worldwide effort to honor their legacy and their memory. Page 2 Chapter Patriot Memorial Services Launched Denise Doring VanBuren, President General As part of our VanBuren Administration’s emphasis on recognizing the men and women who achieved American independence, chapters are urged to conduct an annual Memorial Service honoring the Patriots of the American Revolution. Though these short devotions may occur at any time, they are especially requested to be included within regular meetings conducted during the month of November, as we give thanks for the blessings that our Patriot ancestors won on our behalf. The annual service is derived from our charge to fulfill the objectives laid forth at the first meeting of the DAR: to perpetuate the memory and spirit of the men and women who achieved American Independence; to carry out the injunction of Washington in his farewell address to the American people, "to promote, as an object of primary importance, institutions for the general diffusion of knowledge, thus developing an enlightened public opinion…"; and to cherish, maintain, and extend the institutions of American freedom, to foster true patriotism and love of country, and to aid in securing for mankind all the blessings of liberty. Chapters are welcome to customize the service to honor local or chapter Patriots; they may also choose to more generically memorialize all those who sacrificed during our nation’s fight for independence. Chaplains should feel free to personalize the service to best resonate with their membership. And let us be sure include the many foreign-born, females and Patriots of color who sacrificed so that the privilege of citizenship might be ours. Original prayers/ceremonies are encouraged. Chaplains may find inspiration from drawing upon earlier editions of the National Society’s Rituals, which may be found here: https://www.dar.org/members/forms-publication- category/Rit_and_Miss. Others may prefer to adapt this ceremony sample for their own needs. Page 3 Chaplain: We gather to recall the men and women who imperiled their lives, fortunes and sacred honor to form these United States of America. All: Let us always remember. Chaplain: We recognize their boldness, their courage, their character. We honor their vision, their selflessness, their resolve. All: Let us forever respect. Chaplain: As the descendants of ordinary men and women who achieved extraordinary things, we salute their determination to forge a democracy within a republic, and we recommit to our fundamental responsibility to fulfill our obligations as active, engaged citizens. All: Let us pledge our patriotism. Chaplain: Let us then, each in turn, speak aloud the name of one Patriot whom we wish to honor today, e.g. “Patrick Henry,” “Nathan Hale,” “Margaret Corbin,” or “Agrippa Hull.” All: Each member cites the name of a single Patriot (their own ancestor or any man or woman who aided the cause), citing service if known. Chaplain: “E Pluribus Unum.” From many one – let us remember that just as our ancestors united to found a nation, so must we strive to both serve and unite our beloved country in order to fulfill its perpetual destiny as a beacon for freedom-loving people everywhere on earth. Our closing words were composed by the Father of our Country. Please bow your heads for “Washington’s Prayer for our Nation.” “I now make it my earnest prayer, that God would have the United States in his holy protection, that he would incline the hearts of the Citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to Government, to entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another, for their fellow citizens of the United States at large, and particularly for their brethren who have served in the Field, and finally, that he would most graciously be pleased to dispose us all, to do Justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that Charity, humility and pacific temper of mind, which were the Characteristicks (sic) of the Devine Author of our blessed Religion, and without an humble imitation of whose example in these things, we can never hope to be a happy Nation. Amen.” Page 4 Our Patriots and the Importance of Remembering Them n the eve of the 250th anniversary of the birth of our nation, DAR has the opportunity to raise O the visibility of our Patriots and create interest in who they were and enthusiasm for what they accomplished. Through the efforts of our almost 3,000 chapters, we can have a significant impact in our communities by re- discovering, restoring and re-dedicating Revolutionary War- related monuments, plaques, gravesites, and other memorials in our cities and towns. What a great way to increase public visibility of the American Revolution — and we may even find some new DAR members along the way! Using chapter “Our Patriots” minutes, “Patriot Snapshots” in social media, and community events such as marking or re-dedicating Revolutionary Soldiers’ graves, citizens will learn about and have a chance to honor these Lynn Forney Young heroes of the early years of our country. America 250! National Chair Highlighting the inspiring stories of these brave men and women will fire the imagination of children and adults alike. Making history come alive through telling the tales of significant events related to local landmarks and relics, spotlighting patriots who influenced the names of streets and building in the community, and creating curiosity about what actually happened 250 years ago and why it matters is sure to result in growing appreciation for our patriot ancestors, and significant growth in DAR membership. Please join us in promoting the celebration of America’s 250th birthday and the men and women who secured liberty for our nation. Help us make this history come alive for the children of America and their parents by inspiring DAR chapters and states with new ideas and suggestions about how to participate in this exciting committee. Our Patriots Website Features A Patriot Story—template for minutes & print Revolutionary Flashbacks A Patriot Snapshot—template for social media https://www.dar.org/members/committees/special- committees/america-250/our-patriots Page 5 Our Patriots Committee Members National Chair Lynn Young [email protected] (713) 817-5628 National Vice Chair- Our Patriots Susan Thomas [email protected] (931) 924-8400 Division Vice Chairs Northeastern - CT, ME, MA, NH, NY, RI, VT Louise Aitcheson [email protected] (518) 729-4189 Eastern - DE, DC, MD, NJ, PA, VA, Units Overseas Bernadette Kucharczuk [email protected] (201) 452-3760 Southeastern - AL, FL, GA, MS, NC, SC, TN Colleen Spears [email protected] (615) 309-6041 East Central - IN, KY, MI, OH, WV Cynthia “Cindy” Kettler [email protected] (330) 273-5102 North Central - IL, IA, MN, NE, ND, SD, WI Denese Wilson [email protected] (870) 494-6487 South Central - AR, KS, LA, MO, OK, TX Magen Runyan [email protected] (870) 494-6487 Northwestern - AK, ID, MT, OR, WA, WY Kristin Lowe-Bartell [email protected] (541) 961-3954 Southwestern - AZ, CA, CO, HI, NV, NM, UT Marion “Mur” Hiltenbrand [email protected] (303) 986-2301 State Chairs, Co-Chairs AL State Chair (AL) Constance “Connie” Grund [email protected] (205) 492-3336 AR State Chair (AR) Deborah Lusk [email protected] (870) 847-0548 AZ State Chair (AZ) Stephanie Menei [email protected] (602) 758-3419 CO