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).

Celebrating Nanyehi - Planting an Herb Garden with native herbs

Saturday May 28, 2016 Members of the Cherokee District DAR met at the grave site of Nancy Ward to plant an herb garden. Members of Rhea Craig Chapter joined members of Nancy Ward, Alexander Keith , Avery Trace and Ocoee Chapters to clear the weeds and plant the native herbs. We were joined by Becky Hobbs, 5th great-grand daughter of Nancy Ware (in center of photo of Rhea-Craig members) and Cherokee "Jimmy" shown in photo with Betsy Hobbs. Jimmy shared knowledge of the use of the herbs by the Cherokee. 

 

New herbs planted in the herb garden.

Nancy Ward's Grave

Presenting "Stagecoach Mary"

Susan Pluff presented a wonderful program about Mary Fields, better known as "Stagecoach Mary" at our May 12, 2016 meeting.  Mary Fields was born a slave in Tennessee. After emancipation she became the first African American, and the second woman to work for the United States Postal System.

Rhea-Craig Members at the Tennessee State Conference April 22-24, 2016

Rhea-Craig Chapter was represented at the 113th State Conference of the TSDAR in Franklin, TN, April 22-24, 2016. From left to right: Faye Sliger, Chaplain; Cecile Wimberley, Associate Member, newly elected 1st Vice Regent; Memorial Wreath of Deceased members; Jane Yates, Vice Regent; and Carrie Ann Bright, Regent. Cecile will be installed as Tennessee's First Vice Regent in Washington, D.C. at the national meeting of the DAR in June 2016.Tennessee has over 6000 members and the DAR has chapters in all 50 states and has 22 foreign chapters.

Jr. ROTC Awards Ceremony for Rhea County High School

April 28, 2016 members of the Rhea-Craig Chapter DAR attended the Jr. ROTC Awards Ceremony for students of Rhea County High School. With the Jr. ROTC Color Guard in the background, Rhea-Craig Chapter Regent Carrie Ann Bright presented a DAR medal and certificate of recognition to Cadet Captain Melanie Daniel for her demonstration of "Academic Excellence, Dependability, Good Character, Adherence to Military Discipline, Leadership and a Fundamental and Patriotic Understanding of the Importance of the Reserve Officers Training Corps". Congratulations Melanie!

From left to right: Faye Sliger, Carrie Ann Bright,
 Caren Lorelle, Melanie Daniel, Susan Pluff,
Marcia Long, Kathy Tyler, Barbara McKeel.

 

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The Constitution of the United States

Caren Lorelle presented a program on the United States Constitution at the April 17, 2016 meeting.

Honoring Vietnam Veterans

Members of Rhea-Craig Dar with the official Vietnam Veterans' banner honoring their service and sacrifice. The banner hung in the gazebo in downtown Sweetwater for all to see as a reminder never to forget the service and sacrifice the Vietnam Veterans made in their youth. From left to right: Faye Sliger, Carrie Ann Bright and Jane Yates.

DAR Donation to the Public Library

Vinita Allmond (left) and Marcia Long (right) presented to Tania Rich, the librarian of the Sweetwater Public Library with a gift of books for children and adults.  The library maintains a list of books and recordings that they would love to add to their collection.

Vietnam Veterans Day Ceremony - March 2, 2016

March 29, 2016 Rhea-Craig members participated in the Vietnam Veterans Day Ceremony at the McMinn County Senior Citizen Center in Athens, TN. From greeting these brave men, handing each one of them a commemorative pin recognizing their service during the Vietnam War, to the Celebratory Toast at the end of the program, the morning was an emotional reminder that we must never forget the sacrifices these men made in their youth.
They have earned our undying gratitude.

March 2016 Meeting

 

The program for the March meeting of the Rhea-Craig Chapter DAR was presented by Will Kinton, Park Ranger from Fort Loudon State Park in Vonore, TN. Dressed in the Patriot uniform of the Revolutionary War complete with weapons, canteen and felt hat with bear fur to wick away the rain, Will's knowledge and presentation were awesome! The members of Rhea-Craig came to the meeting dressed in their colonial-style outfits. Thanks again Will, and thank you Tammy Sarver for making this program possible. Jo Watson served delicious snacks with an Irish theme. Thank you Jo.

Boy Scouts and Flag Etiquette

Boy Scouts William Ogles and Rob Wheeler demonstrated the proper way to fold the American flag and explained the meaning of each fold. They also described the proper and respectful way to dispose of a torn and worn out flag. Regent Carrie Ann Bright presented each of them with a Certificate of Recognition.

DAR Schools and DAR Approved Schools

At our January 2016 meeting Chaplain Faye Sliger presented her program on DAR Schools and DAR Approved Schools. The DAR Schools are Kate Duncan Smith in Alabama and Tamassee in South Carolina. The DAR Approved Schools are Hillside School Massachusetts, Hindeman Settlement School in Kentucky, Berry College in Georgia and the Crossnore School in North Carolina. Faye shared information about each of the schools and encouraged us to visit them.

December's Defense Meeting

Our December meeting was a wonderful luncheon at the home of Jane and Gail Yates. Our featured speaker was Col. Wayne Key, US Army, Ret. He presented an in depth report of military life and the national defense of our country. Sharing many personal accounts he gave us the understanding of the challenges of the Department of Defense's objectives. Thank you Col. Wayne Key.

Pictured are Carrie Ann Bright, Regent; Gail Yates, husband of Jane Yates, Vice-Regent, Jane Yates and Col. Wayne Key.