Café Clinton was the place, Washita Chapter NSDAR was the meeting on December 11, 2023. The meeting was called to order by the Regent Kay Hagerman, who, with the assistance of Chaplain Judy Tracy opened with the DAR ritual. Followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, American’s Creed, Christmas melody, The Preamble to the Constitution and the Oklahoma Flag Salute.
Taking the oath of membership were new members, Pat Sides and Maureen Green. Maureen’s husband, Donald, was given a HODAR certificate (husband of DAR member).
The President General’s Message as she reminded us that December not only is a “month for sparkle and celebration but of the fact that this month officially kicks off the DAR’s America 250!” On December16, 1773 celebrates the 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party. There were nearly 350 tea chests thrown into the Boston Harbor by patriots in Boston who were protesting taxation without representation.
On December 25, 1896, while crossing the Atlantic on his way home to American was inspired to write the famous march…”Stars and Stripes Forever”. He was “overcome by homesickness and fond memories of his time as the Marine Band’s leader, which inspired him to write the famous march.” Itofficially became America’s national march by an act of Congress in 1987.
The ancestor of Brenda Archer, was featured this month in the Patriot Ancestor Minute.
Phillys Stevenson gave the National Defense Report telling about the Indiana Honor Flight for 102 Vietnam War Purple Heart recipients to Washington, D.C. The flight was funded by WOWO radio station in 1948, when they created “Penny Pitch”. They ask for listeners to donate pennies to help a young quadriplegic at that time and the response was overwhelming. The station has continued Penny Pitch every Christmas season since then. It is now a non-profit corporation and grants are provided to qualifi ed not-for-profit organizations. Honor Flight Northeast Indiana was the 75th anniversary recipient.
Committee Reports given were: American Indians with Virginia Reid telling about Sacagawea, a Lemhi Shoshone woman, who helped in the Lewis and Clark Expedition of the exploration of the Louisiana Territory. Americanism, Service to American, Women’s Issues-Judy Tracy discussed the financial burden of the holidays that causes many excessive stress and ideas of ways to reduce the stress.
The program consisted of members bringing books suitable for K-5 and a game was played with the books. They were to be donated to a school after the meeting.
Each member was encouraged by the Literacy Chairman, Marilyn Wilson, to choose a “pen pal” in the coming year and write to them in cursive to not only encourage them to read but write in it.
Patriot Records Project with LuAnn Eisler reporting the hours she had spent in indexing and certifying documents. She told a tidbit about “a certain “Joe Doe” who had been struck by a Broad sword, pierced by a Bayonet and shot with a musket….and survived!”
A Boston Tea Party was also celebrated by the members as they gathered with refreshments and photos to celebrate the 250th anniversary.
Guests: Donald Green and Jane Whitford. The meeting was closed with the reading of the Daughter’s Pledge.
Attending were: Lu Eisler, Marci Grant, Kay Hagerman, Kathryn Harrison, Doris Minor, Virginia Reid, Pat Sides, Maureen Green, Phillys Stevenson, Linda Stewart, Judy Tracy, Marilyn Wilson, Ellena Womack.
