The Urbana Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution met Friday, June 14, at 11:30 a.m. at the Champaign County Historical Society for the annual Flag Day potluck.
The meeting was called to order by Regent Kim Snyder, who welcomed 6 guests and 18 Chapter members.
Regent Snyder conducted the Opening Ritual. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Betty Driever. The American’s Creed was led by Elaine Ortman. The National Anthem was then sung by special guest, Isaac Bryant.
Special guest Elaine Ortman, current Ohio State Organizing Secretary, was introduced as well as Isaac Bryant. Additional guests were Delaney Borders and George Slone, and music educator, Michele Slone. They signed a beautiful musical rendition of the Lord’s Prayer as a part of the program.
President General’s Message: Judith Kathary reported that this June we are celebrating the hard work and accomplishments of DAR. At the same time, we will look forward to future successes during the 128th Continental Congress which will be held in Washington, D.C., the last week of this month.
National Defense Report: Kathy Detwiler reported on the meaning of Flag Day. On June 14, 1777, John Adams spoke about the flag at a meeting of the Continental Congress in Philadelphia. It was not until 1949 and an Act of Congress that Flag Day became National Flag Day. The flag can represent everything you hold close to your heart and dear in your life, all in one symbol. This is the Flag of the United States of America.
Those in attendance enjoyed a delicious potluck luncheon, during which Isaac Bryant shared a guitar and vocal solo.
Isaac Bryant is an accomplished student, now known nationally as “the boy who sang the Star Spangled Banner,” when there was no recording or person to sing it at the beginning of a wrestling tournament. Isaac has twice been asked to go to Washington, D.C. for recognition. The first event was for the Congressional Medal of Honor and secondly for the Horatio Alger Awards. The latter event was held at our own DAR Constitution Hall. Regent Snyder then introduced Dr. Janet Ebert, Chapter Historian, who made a special presentation of a fifty-star flag of the United States of America to this outstanding young man.
The program continued as Regent Snyder conducted a presentation on “Exploration of our Storage Cabinet,” which is housed at the Champaign County Historical Society. The items discussed are all historically significant to the history of the Urbana Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution. The display included the original Charter of the Urbana Chapter, dated May 23, 1896, a beautiful hand sewn American Flag dated 1897, an antique gavel as well as an antique Regent pin.
Regent’s Report: Regent Snyder reported that State Regent Nancy Wright challenged us to a membership drive with Pennsylvania and Ohio was the winner! Members were asked to pick up a Calendar Draft for the coming year in order to be aware of important upcoming events. Regent Snyder proudly announced that Urbana Chapter has received two additional certificates of recognition. First honor was to the WWI Singers in the American Heritage category and second was to Regent Kim Snyder for serving as VIS for the Wright administration. The State Honor Roll has been released and our Chapter now has 75 points. A reminder was given to the group that those wishing to order a DAR insignia tombstone marker will need a form, available on the website of Unique Stone, and signed by Regent Snyder.
Secretary’s Report: The May minutes were approved for filing as written.
Treasurer’s Report: The report will be filed for audit.
Registrar’s Report: During the meeting, the Urbana Chapter DAR was very excited to share in the installation of two new members, Ashley Evans and Linda Fullerton. Registrar Dona Tullis reported a membership of 85 members. Currently, she is working with 3 prospective members.
Pat Detwiler gave a reading titled “Ragged Old Flag,” most appropriate for Flag Day. In addition, she gave an update on the Wreaths Across America project. 2019 will be the second year for the project and it is continuing to grow. In August, our chapter will be working at the Champaign County Fair with the DAV/VFW groups to support the Wreaths project. Members were reminded to pick up order forms.
Judi Henson reminded members that Service to America hours must be logged before June 15, 2019 in order to be counted as part of the current administration. New hours completed following this June date should be logged in as usual in the future. A total of 2,330 hours has been recorded by 13 members of Urbana Chapter DAR since January 1, 2019.
Megan Snyder reviewed items of interest for credit for the State Honor Roll. It was moved by Dona Tullis and seconded by Pat Detwiler that the Urbana Chapter visit the Waldschmidt House. Motion carried. Dona Tullis agreed to be chair for this event.
Judith Kathary mentioned the interesting fact that Sacagawea, at age 12 years, was a vital part of the Lewis and Clark Expedition as the interpreter.
New Business: Judi Henson moved that the chapter participate in both the Chili Festival with a booth and Simon Kenton Hoopla Parade with a float on September 28, 2019. The motion was seconded by Megan Snyder. Motion carried.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 2:10 PM. Hostesses for the day were Becky Shultz, Diane Burroughs and Jan Forsbach. Items were collected for distribution to veterans at the VA hospital in Dayton, Ohio.
The next meeting will be held Monday, August 19, 2019 with location to be announced.
