Wreaths Across America - December 17, 2016

Wreaths Across America provided 8000 wreaths and members of Rhea-Craig Chapter DAR joined hundreds of others to lay wreaths on the graves at Chattanooga National Veterans Cemetery.

The heavy mist provided the perfect atmosphere in this quiet sacred place. After a solemn ceremony members of Rhea-Craig gathered armfuls of wreaths and walked from grave to grave, placing the wreaths and saying, out loud, the name of the veteran buried there.  By saying the name out loud we ensure that veteran is never forgotten.   As the wreaths began to fill large sections of the cemetery those red bows on the vibrant evergreen transformed the barren acres into a beautiful holiday memory of those men and women who so unselfishly served our country.

Bundled up and ready to lay wreaths on the graves of our veterans.

 

 

Presenting the colors

Beautiful rendition of our National Anthem

Coming to retrieve the colors

Taps

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Special Recognition Awards

Dana Myers received the Community Service Award through NSDAR for her outstanding volunteer service through her participation with the St. Mary's Legacy Clinic which operates a mobile medical van to bring health care services to uninsured members in rural communities. The award was presented by Susan Pluff, Treasurer and Carrie Ann Bright, Regent at our December 10, 2016 meeting.

At our December 10, 2016 meeting: The Crabtree family received a Certificate of Award for the Proper Use, Correct Display and Patriotic Presentation of The Flag of the United States of America. Presented by Carrie Ann Bright, Regent.

At our December 10, 2016 meeting: Mary Hendershot was recognized for "Promotion of the Arts" in Monroe County (through the Monroe Area Council of the Arts). Jane Yates, Vice-regent presented the award.

Recognizing Vietnam Veterans

Rhea-Craig members presented proclamations signed by President Barack Obama, certificates from the DAR, lapel pins, eagle tin pins and bumper stickers to 5 Vietnam Veterans at the monthly meeting of the American Legion Post in Decatur, TN on November 14, 2016. This group photo captures the smiles we shared with these men recognizing their service during this 50 year anniversary of the end of the war.

Celebrating Cornelia Fort at our November meeting

Carrie Ann Bright, Regent presented a very informative program on Cornelia Fort, from Nashville, TN, for our November meeting.

In 1940, a year after Cornelia graduated from college, took a joyride and decided she wanted to fly airplanes. She took lessons and became a pilot.

A year later she was giving a flying lesson in Hawaii when she saw Japanese warplanes heading toward Pearl Harbor. They fired on her, but she survived. The next year she was one of a small group of women chosen to be members of the Women’s Auxiliary Flying Squadron, which took new planes from factories to military bases.

Cornelia Fort was killed in a mid-air collision in 1943, becoming the first female pilot in American history to die on active duty.

DAR's National Day of Service

The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution Day of Service gives members an opportunity to join together in an effort to illustrate NSDAR's collective commitment to America on the day of our founding. On October 11, 2016 members of Rhea-Craig Chapter helped to prepare and serve food to those in need hosted by a local church.

Fund Raising

A very successful yard sale on a beautiful October Saturday.

Grave Dedication Ceremony for 2 Revolutionary War Patriots

On Saturday, October 22 we joined several members of DAR and SAR chapters at Garrison Cemetery in Dayton, TN for the grave dedication ceremony honoring Revolutionary War patriot, Col. Return Jonathan Meigs. The ceremony was hosted by Colonel Benjamin Cleveland Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution. 

DAR and SAR wreaths at the grave of Colonel Return Jonathan Meigs

A dedicated Color Guard

Grave of Return Jonathan Meigs

Three volleys.

Two blasts from the canons.

Taps

Susan Pluff, Carrie Ann Bright and Barbara McKeel with the color guard.

Colonel Return Jonathan Meigs' grave with SAR medallions 

Caren Lorelle, Susan Thomas, Carrie Ann Bright, Susan Pluff, Barbara McKeel, Kathy Tyler.  

Carrie Ann Bright saluting Colonel Return Jonathan Meigs.

Following the dedication at Garrison Cemetery a second ceremony was held at David Campbell Memorial Park in the Old Washington community in Rhea County. Hosted by the Colonel Benjamin Cleveland Chapter, Tennessee SAR the dedication recognized Major David Campbell as a Revolutionary War patriot.

Carrie Ann Bright, Regent, with the Rhea-Craig wreath.

Carrie Ann Bright saluting Major David Campbell.

 DAR and SAR wreaths on the grave of David Campbell.

SAR marker on the grave of Major David Campbell.

Our Founder - Annie Rhea Clark

Laying a wreath on the grave of our founder Annie Rhea Clark on the anniversary of her death.

At the mayor's office

Members of Rhea-Craig Chapter DAR at the office of Monroe County Mayor Tim Yates to witness him signing a Certificate of Appreciation recognizing the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Vietnam Veterans at Meigs County VFW Post 7189

Rhea-Craig members presented proclamations, lapel pins, eagle tin pins and bumper stickers to 8 Vietnam Veterans at the Meigs County VFW Post 7189 monthly meeting on September 26, 2016. This group photo captures the smiles we shared with these men following the presentation.

National Muscadine Festival 2016

A very hot Muscadine Festival didn't keep Rhea-Craig members from working to raise funds for our projects of patriotic and community services, services for veterans, literacy and education (including scholarships), genealogy and historic preservation, and support for the National DAR Library and Museum. Our dedicated goal at this year's festival was to collect donations from fair-goers for the National Honor Flight Network.  We gave special recognition to Vietnam Veterans and presented them with a special lapel pin to thank them for their service and sacrifice. You can see quite a bit of emotion on their faces.

An 86 year-old Korean Veteran and his wife of 59 years contributed to the Honor Flight Network and stood with Caren Lorelle to have their picture taken.

The face says it all.  Two Vietnam Veterans receive recognition for their service and sacrifice - a special lapel pin just for Vietnam Veterans.

And, of course a parade down Main Street!

To honor Constitution Week

Carrie Ann Bright, Faye Sliger, Caren Lorelle and Susan Pluff rang the church bells 13 times to celebrate the 13 original colonies and the U. S. Constitution.

The Bill of Rights and September 11, 2001

For our September 2016 meeting program Caren Lorelle presented the Bill of Rights . Carrie Ann Bright and Jane Yates shared a remembrance of September 11, 2001.