Nearly 5,000 members of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) convened towards the end of last month in the nation’s capital for the 135th Continental Congress, the longstanding service organization’s annual meeting. The week-long convention includes business sessions, committee meetings, and social functions and is topped off with formal evening ceremonies at which national DAR award recipients are honored.
Among them were State Director DAR of Michigan and Chapter Librarian Shannon Larson and Chapter Treasurer Brenda Hilderbrandt, both delegates of the Michigan Dunes Chapter in Pentwater, Michigan. During Congress, Larson served on the Corridor Hostess Committee, and Hilderbrandt served on the Congress Doors Committee. Larson and Hilderbrandt also attended the Michigan Welcome Brunch, Opening Night Ceremony, Education Awards Night and National Defense Night.
“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. 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,” President General Ginnie Sebastian Storage said. “Service to our country is at the heart of everything DAR does, and it is always inspiring to welcome thousands of Daughters to our historic headquarters in Washington, DC. Working together, we are dedicated to advancing historic preservation, education, and patriotism for generations to come."
At the Opening Night Ceremony on Wednesday, June 24, America’s 250th birthday was a prominent part of the festivities. The acclaimed PBS documentary “The American Revolution” by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein and David Schmidt received the DAR Media and Entertainment Award. Ken Burns was also recognized for his 50 years of historical filmmaking with the DAR Medal of Honor.
The National Defense Night Ceremony, celebrating our nation’s military personnel and veterans, featured a 25th anniversary commemoration of September 11, 2001. This event honored the organizations and individuals that work to preserve the memories of those lost, support families affected, and shape the future narrative of 9/11 around remembrance through service. As part of the commemoration, the President General’s Medallion was presented to the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, the New York Medical Examiner’s Office/World Trade Center DNA Identification Office, VOICES - Center for Resilience and 9/11 Day.
The DAR Continental Congress is an annual gathering that has been held in Washington, D.C. since the organization’s founding in 1890. National, state and chapter leaders as well as other members from across the country and around the world meet at the DAR National Headquarters to report on the year’s work, honor outstanding award recipients, plan future initiatives and reconnect with friends.
