More than 3,000 members of the Daughters of the American
Revolution (DAR) convened in Washington, D.C. for their 118th
annual Continental Congress.
More than 3,000 members of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) convened in Washington, D.C. for their 118th annual Continental Congress.
In attendance at the Congress were Ann Zuhr, California state corresponding secretary; Leona “Lee” Ware, and Shelley Ware of the Gabilan Chapter, which is based in south Santa Clara and San Benito counties. While at Congress, they attended the California Congressional tea, the junior membership committee luncheon, and various business and committee meetings. Zuhr served on the Marshall committee and sat in the California state box. Shelley and Leona Ware were members of the All-American DAR Chorus. Shelley Ware also served as a page for the public relations committee.
Opening Night keynote speaker Lt. Col. Michael Strobl, the subject and co-writer of the HBO film ‘Taking Chance,’ shared his experience serving as a military escort to bring home the remains of Lance Cpl. Chance Phelps, a young soldier killed in Iraq. Strobl also accepted on behalf of HBO Films the National DAR Media Award for the movie.
The opening night ceremonies also featured renowned civil rights leader Dorothy Height, who was honored with the organization’s highest award, the DAR Medal of Honor, recognizing her outstanding lifetime achievements in furthering equality and human rights. Entertainment legend and philanthropist Dolly Parton received the Founders Medal for Education for her literacy program Imagination Library.
The National Defense Night keynote speaker was General Ann Dunwoody, the first woman four-star general in U.S. military history. Aaron Tippin, country music star and celebrity spokesperson for various military support organizations, received the Founders Medal for Patriotism and performed during the National Defense Night ceremony, an evening which honors and celebrates the nation’s service personnel and veterans.
“It’s inspiring to see so many Daughters make the trip to Washington to celebrate their hard work and accomplishments during the past year in service to God, home and country,” said Linda Gist Calvin, president general. “The reports of our members’ enthusiastic dedication to historic preservation, education, and patriotism make it clear that the DAR is playing an important role in cities and towns across the country.”
The DAR Continental Congress is a time-honored tradition that has been held in Washington, D.C. at the annual national meeting of the membership since the organization’s founding. National, state and chapter leaders as well as other members from across the country and around the world meet at the DAR National Headquarters to report on the year’s work, honor outstanding award recipients, plan future initiatives and reconnect with friends. The week-long convention consists of business sessions, committee meetings, and social functions, and is topped off with three formal evening ceremonies at which national DAR award winners are honored.
The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution was founded in 1890 to promote historic preservation, education and patriotism. Its members are descended from the patriots who won American independence during the Revolutionary War. With more than 165,000 members in approximately 3,000 chapters worldwide, DAR is one of the world’s largest and most active service organizations. To learn more about the work of today’s DAR, visit www.DAR.org.
