DAR Chapter News

Gila Butte members at the State Conference in Mesa: Front row (left to right): Marjorie Nelson, Regent Suzanne Young, Jean Milberger; back row (left to right): Betty Wells, Barbara Hugus, Lesley Baran (photo by Catherine Young)

Jean Milberger

The Gila Butte Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is a non-profit service organization that welcomes all women whose lineage traces back to the American Revolutionary War. A few of our main interests are servicing and honoring our veterans and education about the culture and history of Native Americans.

In the fall, the Sun Lakes communities host open houses to acquaint the residents with the various organizations and clubs that they might have an interest in. Our Gila Butte Membership Committee will have a table at these events with materials about DAR, our chapter, and there will be members available to assist interested residents wishing to develop their lineage back to the Revolutionary time. The open houses are a great opportunity to meet our neighbors, old and new. Those interested in joining DAR can also contact our membership chair Pennie Bonnett at [email protected].

There is a lot of excitement among the Gila Butte Chapter. Ms. Pamela Wright, President General of Daughters of the American Revolution, will be attending the Arizona State Fall Forum to be held in Mesa in late August. Several members will be attending the three-day event and catching up on state and national plans for the coming years’ events and projects.

Many residents of the Sun Lakes communities were very disappointed that no Memorial Day commemoration was scheduled at any of the various locations here. Our chair for Service to Veterans and several other members are formulating ideas now for Veteran’s Day ceremonies, so please look for announcements in future papers.

The Gila Butte Chapter will start our 2023-24 year with our first board of directors meeting on Sept. 6, and our first general meeting on Sept. 20 in Cottonwood.

Our chapter members will host a fall Treasure Hunt/Garage Sale on Nov. 11, also in Cottonwood. Watch for our ad in the Splash.

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 Republican, Democratic, and Independent political parties; women from all races and ethnic backgrounds; and women from ages 18 to 100-plus. The society does not subscribe to any particular religion, nor does it discriminate against any members who are of various religious beliefs.