Rensselaer DAR members participate in Continental Congress event in D.C.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Several members of the General Van Rensselaer Chapter of the Daughters of Revolution traveled to Washington, D.C., last week to participate in the 134th Continental Congress where they were joined by more than 4,000 DAR members from around the country.
The week-long convention consisted of business sessions, committee meetings and social functions. The week was topped off with formal evening ceremonies where national DAR award recipients were honored.
Attending the Congress were Rensselaer DAR members Cindy Stath (Chapter Regent), Karen Stanley (Chapter Secretary), Sue Caldwell (Chapter Historian), Mary Shelley (past Chapter Regent) and April Potts.
Stath served as a balcony volunteer assisting researchers in the DAR Library.
“Attending Continental Congress has given me a new appreciation for the contributions that our DAR members make to our Nation in a wide variety of ways. Meeting new friends, seeing DAR Sisters that I only see at Continental Congress is a gift to myself,” Stath said.
The DAR Continental Congress is an annual gathering that has been held in Washington, D.C. 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.
At the Opening Night Ceremony, Chuck Leavell received the DAR President General’s Medallion for his musical achievements and advocacy for the nation’s forests.
The National Defense Night Ceremony, celebrating the nation’s military personnel and veterans, welcomed Gina Bennett, counterterrorism expert and former CIA Analyst as the DAR Patriot Award winner.
Other national awards were presented during the week to outstanding individuals celebrating excellence in historic preservation, education and patriotism.
While at congress, chapter members attended the Historic Preservation Luncheon, Units Overseas Luncheon and International Shopping Bazaar, Opening Night Ceremony, Education Awards Night Ceremony, and National Defense Night Ceremony.
“Continental Congress is a time-honored tradition and opportunity for our members to come together to share ideas and celebrate our country’s rich history. This year is particularly exciting as we prepare for our nation’s 250th anniversary,” said Pamela Wright, President General. “Service to our country is at the heart of everything DAR does, and it is always inspiring to welcome more than 4,000 Daughters here at our historic headquarters in Washington, DC. Working together, we are dedicated to advancing historic preservation, education, and patriotism for generations to come.”
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 190,000 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.