May 9, 2022 at the Café Clinton, the Washita Chapter held their regular meeting with the Regent Carol Ann Batterton assisted by the Chaplain Virginia Reid opened the meeting. Members participated in the Americans Creed, Pledge of Allegiance, Preamble to the Constitution, Oklahoma Flag Salute, and in the singing of a Patriotic song.
The President General’s letter given by Linda Stewart, reviewed her term as the President General for the last 3 years. She also thanked the membership for allowing her the privilege of serving the National Society as well as working with amazing women here in America.
Ellena Womack gave the National Defender report choosing an article from that noted “Memorial Day as the day we officially remember and honor those who have died in service to their country.” The poppy has become a symbol of remembrance for not only Memorial Day , to honor those who gave their lives for our country in battle but honoring , on November 11, those who have served our country in the armed forces. The poem “In Flanders Fields” written by LTC John McCrae in 1915 on the battlefield in France during World War I was read and had an great effect on the reading public in 1918. It also had an effect….the idea of the Remembrance Poppy. Moina Belle Michael, read the poem just before the signing of the Armistice and it had such a profound effect on her that she wrote as a pledge to KEEP THE FAITH “and always to wear a red poppy of Flanders Fields as a sign of remembrance and the emblem of “keeping the faith with all who died.” ……and in these moments the Remembrance Poppy crystalized. The idea to make and sell red silk poppies to raise money to support returning veterans. In 1920, “she convinced the Georgia Department of the American Legion to adopt the Memorial Poppy as its symbol.”
Reports were given by Committee Chairmen: Commemorative Events; Doris Minor along with Harrison, Tracy and Wilson gave a short skit on VOICES OF WAR: VE DAY; Junior American Citizens; Virginia Reid announced that the chapter had a winner in the poster contest, a student from Elk City that had won first in the state contest. Protocol; Wilson updated the members on their insignia .
Awards from the Oklahoma Spring Conference were announced , one of them being that Luanne Eisler was recognized for her outstanding work in the Patriot Records Project.
The program was given by Mareen Hallmark . The bronze sculpture that was designed by Bryant Baker of a Pioneer Woman was dedicated in 1930 and is located in Ponca City, Oklahoma. The statue was donated to the State of Oklahoma by E.W. Marland , it is of a “sunbonneted woman” leading a child by the hand. In 1955 Ollie Butler, grandmother of Mareen, was honored by being named ’ Pioneer Woman’. Ollie, a delicate woman originally from Virginia and her husband moved to Taloga in 1892. Her husband while working his land suffered a sunstroke and Ollie had to step up and take over the outside work, raised her children and took care of her household.
The officers for the 2022-2024 years were installed; Kay Hagerman -Regent; Doris Minor-Vice Regent; Chaplin-Judy Tracy; Secretary-Kathryn Harrison; Treasurer-Linda Stewart; Registrar-Marci Grant; Historian-Carol Ann Batterton.
Members attending were: Carol Batterton, Lu Eisler, Marci Grant, Kathryn Harrison, Dari Hart, Evelyn Hart, Kay Hagerman, Mareen Hallmark, Nancy Lisle, Doris Minor, Barbara O’Neill, Virginia Reid, Phillys Stevenson, Linda Stewart, Judy Tracy, Marilyn Wilson, Ellena Womack, prospective member Betty Schumacher. Guests were Debbie Holland and Linda Murphy.