February 14, 2022 was the meeting date for the Washita Chapter NSDAR at the Café Clinton. The Regent Carol Ann Batterton with the assistance of the Chaplain Virginia Reid opened the meeting with the DAR Ritual. Those assisting in the opening were Barbara O’Neill , the American Creed; Evelyn Hart, Pledge of Allegiance; Doris Minor accompanied the group in a patriotic song; Marcia Grant Salute to the Oklahoma Flag and Phillys Stevenson, Preamble to the Constitution.
A new member ,Deborah Whinery , was welcomed.
The President General’s letter, read by Linda Stewart, opened with a quote from a poem by William Cullen Bryant reminding us that even though the weather cycles we have this month may have been dreary, with the help of some warm, encouraging sunshine….things with burst forth-both in nature and in our chapters. She announced two overseas trips that she and several Executives will be taking. One to Spain, where they will be dedicating two markers …one of which is recognizing “ Spanish support for the American Revolution and honor the Spanish who responded to King Carlos III’s request for donations to fund the war for American independence”. The other will be in Hungary where they will “dedicate a plaque to honor the Karcag birthplace of Michael Kovats, the Hungarian Hussar nobleman who is considered the Father of the U.S. Cavalry.. In 1777, after learning about the American Revolution, he offered his sword to the American ambassador in France, Benjamin Franklin……It was a pledge that he regrettable fulfilled, as Kovats was killed in action at the battle of Charleston on May 11, 1779
She praised those working in raising awareness of the men and women who achieved American independence and hopes each of the DAR member are active and that each would pause on Feb 22 to mark the birthday of the Father of our Nation, George Washington.
Elleana Womack gave the National Defense Report on the recognition of February 19 which is National Vet Girls RISE Day. This is to” recognize the immense dedication of nearly 2 million U.S. veteran women, but it also a day for the women veterans to support one another and to share resources, build relationships and spread awareness concerning the needs of women veterans.
There have been women in the armed forces since the Revolutionary War “but many have not been recognized for their service……..and the contributions made by those women deserve acknowledgment. That day also celebrates the bonds they formed and the experiences that were shared.
The Regent introduced Art Peters and his wife Shelia. Mr. Peters gave the program on “The California Road Through Oklahoma”, of which he has done a great deal of study and following. He presented pictures of the trails that are still visible that were made by the wagons. Using a map that he has drawn depicting the trail, he gave the areas it covered and why the trail was followed as it was. He is the Hinton Historical Museum Curator and the author of “Legends, of the Mounds, The Ghosts of the Red Rock Canyon, Black Mesa Dinosaur and Human Fossil Footprints, and Legends of the Canyons”.
New officers were elected : Regent Kay Hagerman, Vice Regent Doris Minor, Judy Tracy, Chaplain, Secretary, Kathryn Harrison, Treasure, Linda Stewart, Registrar, Marci Grant, Historian, Carol Ann Batterton, Librarian, Robetha Fariss.
The meeting was closed with the reading of The Daughters Pledge.
Those attending were Carol Batterton, Lu Eisler, Robetha Fariss, Marci Grant, Kathryn Harrison, Evelyn Hart, Kay Hagerman, Nancy Lisle, Doris Minor, Barbara O’Neill, Carolyn Rawlings, Virginia Reid, Phillys Stevenson, Linda Steward, Deborah Whinery, Marilyn Wilson and Ellena Womack.