Annual meeting celebrates America’s 250th anniversary, honors service and recognizes national award recipients.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Nearly 5,000 members of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) gathered in the nation’s capital for the organization’s 135th Continental Congress, a weeklong convention celebrating service, patriotism and the nation’s 250th anniversary.
The annual meeting featured business sessions, committee meetings, educational programs, service projects and formal evening ceremonies recognizing outstanding individuals for achievements in history, education, military service and community leadership.
“Continental Congress is a time-honored tradition and opportunity for our members to come together to celebrate our country’s rich history, share ideas, and mark their past year in service,” said DAR President General Ginnie Sebastian Storage. “With our nation commemorating its 250th anniversary this year, DAR chapters have been sharing the history of those inspiring individuals who contributed to American independence.”
During the opening ceremony, DAR leaders highlighted the organization’s nationwide America 250 initiatives, including community events, historical programs and traveling exhibits designed to commemorate the nation’s semiquincentennial.
One of the week’s major announcements was a $1 million gift from the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution to the George Washington Foundation. The donation establishes the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution Chair of Education Endowment, providing permanent funding for the foundation’s first Director of Education position.
The DAR Media and Entertainment Award was presented to the PBS documentary The American Revolution, produced by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein and David Schmidt. Burns also received the DAR Medal of Honor for his contributions to preserving and sharing American history.
The Founders Medal for Patriotism was awarded to Derric Johnson, founder of the patriotic vocal ensemble Liberty Voices, whose group performed during the opening ceremony. Audience members also witnessed a surprise appearance by Lincoln, a bald eagle presented by the American Eagle Foundation, which received the President General’s Medallion for its conservation efforts.
Education awards presented during the convention recognized winners of the American History Essay Contest and Patriots of the American Revolution High School Essay Contest, as well as the DAR Good Citizen of the Year and the Outstanding Teacher of American History.
The National Defense Night ceremony honored military personnel, veterans and organizations preserving the legacy of Sept. 11, 2001, marking the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks. Several organizations received the President General’s Medallion, while retired U.S. Army Col. Marilyn Wills was presented the Founders Medal for Heroism for her actions during the Pentagon evacuation on Sept. 11.
Additional honors recognized military nurses, veterans and volunteers for outstanding service to their communities and the nation.
The DAR Continental Congress has been held annually since the organization’s founding in 1890, bringing together members from across the United States and abroad to conduct business, celebrate accomplishments and advance the organization’s mission of historic preservation, education and patriotism.
