DAR sets Guinness World Record!!

     

To celebrate DAR’s 125^th Anniversary and the culmination of the Celebrate America! Volunteer Service Initiative,  DAR channeled its fervor for patriotism and dedicated support of our nation’s military service members toward an ambitious goal. During the week of the NSDAR’s Continental Congress, held

in June at Washington, D.C., the DAR set an official 

GUINNESS  WORLD RECORD ^TM in patriotism for “most letters to military personnel collected in one month.” 

DAR collected and delivered 100,904 letters, more than 10 times the minimum threshold needed to set the record for most letters to military personnel collected in one month!

Unveiling the Vietnam Veterans Memorial banner in Sweetwater, TN

Close-up of the Rhea-Craig Chapter DAR Memorial Wreath

Carrie Ann Bright, Regent and Jane Yates, Vice-Regent with the Rhea-Craig Memorial Wreath
at the Vietnam War Memorial

Rhea-Craig Chapter members with the Memorial Wreath
at the Vietnam War Memorial in Sweetwater, TN
From left to right: Diane Walter, Carrie Ann Bright, Jane Yates,
Marcia Long, Caren Lorelle, Susan Pluff.  Also present but not in the photograph was Holly Bright.

Rhea-Craig Memorial Wreath

Rhea-Craig members with photographs of the four Sweetwater residents who were killed in the Vietnam War: Sgt. Tommy Wilson, 10/29/39 - 12/02/65; Sgt. Thomas Latham, 12/31/45 - 5/12/69; Pfc. Freddy Gray, 6/11/47 - 6/9/67; Sgt. Larry Arwood, 12/14/46 - 11/09/67.

Seven members of the V. F. W. Post 5156 fired a three volley salute 
as is traditional to honor fallen members of the military.

Following the 21-gun salute 2 members of the V.F.W.  Post 5156 played taps.

Family members of the fallen were seated in the gazebo.

Sweetwater Mayor Doyle Lowe welcomed guests and Randall Glaze gave a very moving speech.

 The banner of Sweetwater Hometown Heroes was unveiled.  Melvin L. Oggs is the brother-in-law of one of the fallen, Sgt. Thomas Latham.

Rhea-Craig DAR members who helped distribute water and refreshments after the ceremony.

 Rhea-Craig DAR members with the Memorial Wreath in front of the War Memorial .

Flag Day 2016

On May 30, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a presidential proclamation establishing a national Flag Day on June 14. Many Americans celebrate Flag Day by displaying the Red, White and Blue in front of homes and businesses. The day commemorates the adoption of the Stars and Stripes as the official flag of the United States.

Rhea-Craig Officers for FY 2016-2017

Newly sworn-in officers of Rhea-Craig Chapter: Faye Sliger, Chaplain; Marcia Long, Historian; Susan Pluff, Treasurer; Caren Lorelle Corresponding Secretary and Social Media; Barbara McKeel, Recording Secretary, Jane Yates, Vice-regent, Carrie Ann Bright, Regent. June 11, 2016

Rhea-Craig Regent Carrie Ann Bright reminding members of the up-coming Flag Day Holiday!

Brainerd Mission Cemetery Flag Raising

On June 8, 2016 Rhea-Craig daughters (Faye Sliger, Marcia Long, Carrie Ann Bright and Jane Yates) attended the Flag Raising Ceremony at the Brainerd Mission Cemetery - shown here with the Tennessee DAR State Regent, Susan Rogers Thomas (center).