Gila Butte Chapter members and Maricopa County Supervisor Mark Stewart at the America 250 plaque dedication (photo courtesy of Becky Donatelli)
Melinda Eshpeter
The Gila Butte Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) recently dedicated two plaques near the Veterans Memorial Plaza at Sun Lakes Country Club commemorating America 250. The featured speaker at the event was Maricopa County Supervisor Mark Stewart.
America 250 is an initiative of the National Society to honor patriots and remember events of the Revolutionary War era. A series of educational and informational programs will be presented nationwide from 2025 through 2033, marking 250 years since the 1775 battles at Lexington and Concord, which are commonly considered to be the beginning of the war, until the 1783 signing of the Treaty of Paris, which ended the war.
The dedication of the plaques was part of a busy March for the chapter. During the month, members served pizza to veterans at a party hosted by the Jewish War Veterans. Another day they welcomed an Honor Flight of veterans returning to Sky Harbor after visiting Washington, D.C. Two more Honor Flights were scheduled for April.
Volunteers also participated in a trash pickup on Dobson Road as part of the chapter’s Adopt A Road Project through Maricopa County. The Gila Butte Chapter has been doing many kinds of service-related projects continuously for over 23 years and always welcomes new members.
Anyone interested in joining DAR should contact Ruth at [email protected]. The chapter can provide assistance with lineage research to prospective members if needed.
The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution is a nonprofit, charitable organization, founded in 1890 and incorporated by an act of the United States Congress in 1896. Membership in the society is open to any woman 18 years or older, regardless of race, religion, or ethnic background, who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution. The DAR functions as a volunteer service organization and is dedicated to patriotism, education, and historic preservation. While DAR supports a strong national defense, it is not a political organization, nor does it lobby. Its membership includes women from Democratic, Republican, and Independent political parties; women from all races and ethnic backgrounds; and women from ages 18 to 100+. The society does not subscribe to any particular religion, nor does it discriminate against any members who are of various religious beliefs.