Washita Chapter, NSDAR met December 9, 2024 at the Cafe Clinton with Regent Kay Hagerman opening assisted by the Chaplin Robetha Farris. The group participated in the Pledge of Allegiance ; American’s Creed; Preamble to the Constitution and the Oklahoma Flag Salute. The President General’s message was given by Lu Eisler.
“We are grateful this holiday season for the efforts our Patriot ancestors undertook to secure our freedom. The first December issue of the American Monthly Magazine (predecessor to the American Spirit Magazine) in 1892, provided a detailed account of the 1776 Battle of Trenton during the American Revolution. Most associate 1776 with the patriotic elation that surrounds the Declaration of Independence, but December 1776 arrived after several months of disastrous military defeats that had pushed Washington’s army back. General Washington seized an opportunity to catch the opposition off-guard the day after Christmas and after crossing the Delaware River in a treacherous storm, his army defeated a garrison of Hessian mercenaries at Trenton. This led to another victory at Princeton a week later, and some would argue it was a pivotal point in the Revolution.
As you come together this holiday season, we wish you love, joy, peace, and friendship. We are so grateful to each of you as we Celebrate Stars and Stripes Forever! and carry out historic preservation, education, and patriotism on behalf of the National Society.”
Ellena Womack gave the National Defense report on the tradition of tracking Santa and his Reindeer began. Due to an error, the number of the North American Aerospace Defense Command was obtained and a call was answered by the commander on duty. It was from a child who was anxious and wondering where Santa was that night. Because of the kindness of Col. Shoup in this situation, the tradition of NORAD tracking the whereabouts of Santa every Christmas Eve.”
The program was given by Jan Beattie, Registrar of the Cordelia Steen Chapter in Edmond. She did a slide show of Christmas celebrations, traditions and foods from around the world. She gave the origin of many familiar traditions and their countries.
Committees giving reports were: American History; American Indians-Virginia Reid gave the group words in Navajo and ask them to translate their meaning; DAR Good Citizen; DAR Service for Veterans-Carol Ann Batterton reported that rocks for veterans have been painted by students from Cheyenne, Hammon, Arapaho and Butler and placed in the Vet Center in Clinton. Patriot Records Project- Doris Minor had completed 6 hours of indexing .
The meeting was closed with the reading of The Daughter’s Pledge.
Those attending were: Carol Ann Batterton, Robertha Diggs, Luanne Eisler, Robetha Farris, Marci Grant, Regent Kay Hagerman, Kathryn Harrison, Honorary State Regent Nancy Lisle, Virginia Reid, Judy Tracy, Ellena Womack and guest Jan Beattie.