The monthly meeting of the Pemaquid Chapter took place at the Lincoln Home Library, June 11 at 11 a.m. Regent Audrey Miller welcomed Associate Members Nancy Dean and Shirley Peverly, and members Eleanor O’Donnell, Barbara Belknap, Miriam Buckley, Diane Randlett, Sara Fahnley and new member, Elizabeth Printy.

Louise Brown had reported that all four high schools have Good Citizen Award recipients this year. They are Olivia Paolillo at Boothbay Region High School, Katherine Tolly at Lincoln Academy, Peter Alexander at Medomak Valley High School and Sydnie Lea Thayer at Wiscasset High School. The DAR Good Citizen Award was created in 1934 to recognize and reward high school seniors who exemplify the qualities of a good citizen in the United States: dependability, service, leadership and patriotism. It is one of the highest student awards given by the DAR and is a great honor. Each student receives a pin, a certificate, and $100.

Those present listened to a reading of the President General Ann Turner Dillon’s speech given at the fall state meeting last August in Bangor. This speech shed light on what the DAR accomplishes on an annual basis.

Here is an excerpt from her speech:

“DAR Members gave over two million dollars to Veteran Patients through money and service last year and conducted more than thirteen hundred interviews to document veterans’ service.

“For men and women currently serving in the military we sent 15,000 packages to men and women serving abroad with a monetary value of more than $200,000. Nearly $800,000 from the chapters, states and the National Society was given to approved military centers. Active service members were sent almost 300,000 cards and letters. We give close to one million dollars in scholarships. In addition, we support 6 rural schools and two Indian schools. We sponsor summer camps for students in our Indian schools as well as provide historic textile demonstrations and colonial arts instructions through our museum. Last year we awarded special project grants totaling $250,000. We support the naturalization of new citizens by donating and giving over 500,000 US flags and additional items promoting the United States banner to new citizens. We continue to assist immigrants becoming naturalized citizens by compiling the DAR Manual for Citizenship, now available online. We began publishing this manual in 1910. We assisted with 670 naturalization classes and participated in nearly 2,000 naturalization ceremonies and receptions. We promote conservation (and have done so since 1909). We recently completed the installation of a solar panel array on the roof of DAR Constitution Hall, built in 1929. Nearly 15,000 of our members maintain pollinator gardens to combat the decrease in bees and other pollinators.

“We honor the Constitution of the United States and maintain one of the finest genealogical libraries in the nation. We also have a wonderful museum of decorative and fine arts and our museum is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. The Museum staff and the Historian General’s office conduct ‘Tuesday Sack Lunch Lectures’ on various topics for the Washington area residents. The Library conducts genealogy classes for the public as well as lecture series for authors of historical works. Our buildings comprise a city block in Washington, DC, just two blocks from the White House. Our buildings have hosted historic and cultural events for over a century and the list of performers and speakers reads like a who’s who in History.”

The Pemaquid Chapter follows each monthly meeting with a hands-on project. This month, those present folded flags that will be given to those currently serving in the military and to veterans as a thank you for their service.

The next meeting will be July 9 at 11 a.m. at the Lincoln Home where the Pemaquid Chapter has been meeting since 1932.

The DAR was founded in 1890 as a women’s service organization dedicated to promoting historic preservation, education, patriotism and honoring the patriots of the Revolutionary War. DAR members come from a variety of backgrounds and interests but all share a common bond of having an ancestor who helped contribute to the securing of the independence of the United States of America. Any woman 18 years or older, regardless of race, religion or ethnic background, who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution is eligible to join. If you would like to become a member and join us in service to our communities in Lincoln County, please contact Regent Audrey Miller, 633-7089.