Booman Tribune

A Daughter of the American Revolution

by SallyCat
Thu Apr 20th, 2006 at 11:19:20 AM EST

There have been lots of diaries over the past few years about revolution in this country - a taking back of our country from those that would destroy our rights. We have fought for those rights in marches, protests, letters and emails and telephone calls. There are many that wonder if we will make it...and more that want us to be a little less confrontational about our fight.  Yet I can not be less confrontational.
The fight for what this country means runs deep in my blood. So deep that - it goes back to 1634, but that's a different diary.

In a quieter time in my life one of the loves of my life was genealogy. It has been placed on the back burner for the past 5 years.  Even more so the past 2 since the 2004 campaign cycles. During that time period I finally finished tracing my father's family - direct line - to a Revolutionary War soldier.  A soldier from Conneticut that joined in 1775, served his year, then re-joined for the duration of the war.

So: I joined the Daughters of the American Revolution. Oops: the anti-conservative / anti-military crowd just freaked out. Well, too bad.

My experience with D.A.R.
  • This is an organization that is populated with women of many values and many political leanings.
  • First and foremost this is an organization devoted to the preservation of the history of the revolutionary heroes.
  • This is an organization that has worked constantly since the turn of the last century to provide immigrants with materials on how to become a U.S. Citizen - starting at Ellis Island.
  • This is an organization that works to care for our soldiers and veterans - veterans of all wars.
  • This is an organization that works to make sure that there are U.S. flags in any school room that wants them and can't afford them.

The objections are that this organization supports the President of the U.S. I would suggest that as Commander in Chief, it is what they are bound to do. They do this not because of the person in that role, but because our founding fathers gave that person authority in the Constitution.

We as progressives or liberals or whatever we choose to call ourselves must accept that if we want the Constitution of the U.S. defended we can not change the roles designated within. We also need to continue to fight to get our elected officials to uphold the Constitution and rules. These rules provide for Censure or Impeachment if there are criminal acts by the President. It is their role but we can influence their role OR we can replace them as provided by the Constitution.

So while I thought it would be better to not attend my DAR meetings the past year because of other political activities - I was wrong. In 2 weeks I will go back and support the other women fighting for what our ancestors did so many years ago. As an act of patriotism, I will be fighting from within, as well as from without, as long as I can. If ever the need arises, I will join my ancestors, 4 of them, that fought for this country so many, many years ago in any way that defense of the Constitution requires of me.

Let Freedom Ring!


From the DAR - FAQ page:
Q. What is DAR?
A. Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is a lineage society that is a non-profit, charitable organization dedicated to patriotism, historic preservation, and education.

Q. Who can be a member of DAR?
A. 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 for membership. DAR defines a "patriot" as one who provided service or direct assistance in achieving America's independence.

Q. Does DAR accept members who are minorities?
A. Yes. DAR has members of all races and ethnic backgrounds.

Q. Is membership limited to certain religious affiliation?
A. No. DAR is proud to have members from many different religions, including Catholic, Mormon, Jewish, Buddhist, and Islamic.

Q. How do I become a member?
A. First you must complete an application that includes your genealogical lineage and accompanying proof documentation. Detailed information can be found in the Become a Member page of the National Society section.

Q. Why does DAR have a lineal requirement for membership?
A. The DAR was founded in 1890 by four women whose common bond was the fact that each had fathers or grandfathers who were patriots of the American Revolution. The founders of the Daughters of the American Revolution sought to create an organization that would "perpetuate the memory and spirit of the women and men who achieved American independence."

Q. Is DAR a political organization and does it lobby Congress?
A. No, the DAR is not a political organization, nor does it lobby. Because DAR has always been a staunch supporter of a strong national defense, this position has often been misconstrued to suggest that the organization is a political society. DAR is a patriotic society composed of members who subscribe to different political philosophies.

Check their website for more information on the Daughters of the American Revolution



Poll
Do you consider yourself a Patriot?
. Yes 84%
. No 15%

Votes: 13
Results | Other Polls
Display:
I found myself at Armando's new site yesterday...and checked out the link to the Tacitus website. I found myself offended at the comments about who they considered patriots and who were not.

They will not take my patriotism away from me and they will not take my family's Patriot status away. It is time to go back inside...and fight from the inside and outside!

by SallyCat on Thu Apr 20th, 2006 at 11:22:26 AM EST
Hey, Me too!  I'm doing the same thing!  We have 5 direct ancestors who fought on the good side, the youngest being just 13.  My paperwork is on the way.
by Tehanu on Thu Apr 20th, 2006 at 11:56:35 AM EST
There are parts of the meetings that make me a little concerned...like the 'Defense' stuff. Overall...most of the women cover the spectrum of political beliefs.

My favorite was a women that is part of the arch conservative 'Eagle Forum' and she had were in total agreement on our opposition to the Patriot Act. It's great to find common ground!

by SallyCat on Thu Apr 20th, 2006 at 12:00:45 PM EST
[ Parent ]
I haven't applied to the DAR, but my research so far shows seven many-times great-grandfathers who fought for the American side.  There's one uncle who was a spy for the British, but we won't discuss him {g}.  Where in CT did your ancestor live, Sally-Cat?  

One way or the other, this darkness has to give....
by Denim Blue on Thu Apr 20th, 2006 at 12:02:55 PM EST
He and his brother both enlisted from there.

His brother was taken prisoner and died on board a British prison ship. My ancestor ultimately moved to Cayuga County N.Y. after the war years. Niagra Falls area before it was...!

by SallyCat on Thu Apr 20th, 2006 at 12:08:11 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Check out these two sites for a lot of Connecticut genealogy data:

http://www.rays-place.com/

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~jdevlin/


One way or the other, this darkness has to give....

by Denim Blue on Thu Apr 20th, 2006 at 04:22:08 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Great sites...I may find time to work on stuff after the Nov '06 elections.

My next step is "National Society, Daughters of Founders and Patriots of America" - this is similar to DAR. But much tougher to show:

Eligibility in the Society requires an unbroken paternal line of either the applicant's father or mother, going back to a FOUNDER who arrived in one of the Colonies between May 13, 1607 and May 13, 1687, and in this unbroken line, an intermediate PATRIOT ancestor who, by personal service in a civil or military capacity or by other acts proving his unfailing loyalty, assisted in establishing American independence during the Revolutionary Period, 1775 to 1784.

Documentation from 1760 back to the ancestor that is documented in Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1634 is pretty tough to get. I'm close...but not quite there!

by SallyCat on Thu Apr 20th, 2006 at 04:58:41 PM EST
[ Parent ]
I was about eight; it was the late `50s, when ponytails, poodle skirts and saddle shoes were all the rage.  Another accoutrement of the `50s which never became quite so iconic was the charm bracelet.  For those who don't remember them, girls would collect tiny gold or silver mementoes (charms) from travel, special events, sentimental occasions, and fasten them onto a bracelet.  Of course, the goal was to have a wrist dripping with souvenirs, demonstrating what a fabulous life you led.  

But I grew up in a deeply evangelical family who didn't buy into secular fads and trends.  Except, of course, that they did.  Just with a twist (think Christian heavy metal here).  So the church I went to ordered up a batch of cheap gold-tone "Ten Commandment charm bracelets" to give out as prizes to the kids in Sunday School who memorized the most Bible verses.  Now, I had a knack for memorization, so I always won the contest; hence I had come to be the proud owner of an awesome collection of really junky Ten Commandments charm bracelets.

Then one day my piano teacher approached me with exciting news.  The local chapter of the DAR had asked her if one of her students would perform at their annual luncheon, and she had picked me.  The appointed date came, and I played the piano for them.  My only memory of them is that they were very nice and very old.  After I finished playing, they thanked me and presented me with a gift in appreciation.  Ooh!  Now we're talking!  I opened the box, and there, nestled in the cotton padding, lay .......  a Ten Commandments charm bracelet.  Arghhh!

It wasn't until I got home that I looked a little more closely at the bracelet.  Wait a minute - something was different here.  I started on the first of the ten little gold disks.  Instead of "Thou shalt have no other gods before me," this disk said, "Freedom of religion, speech and press."  I went on.  "Freedom to bear arms," "Freedom from military occupation," "Freedom from unreasonable search and seizure," "Freedom from self-incrimination."  Huh?  Remember, I was only eight years old, and while I was a strong reader (and great memorizer), I was in a little over my head on the content.  But I knew one thing - instinctively and immediately KNEW it - this bracelet was waaaaaay cooler than the "Thou shalt not" ones.

So did my introduction to the Bill of Rights by the DAR change my life?  You know, I'd like to think so.  Obviously, I would have learned about the Constitution at some point, and the power of its ideas would have made a profound impression on me no matter when I was introduced to them. But the sense of pride I felt when I was eight years old and wearing my Bill of Rights charm bracelet has never quite left me.

by Brementown Musician on Thu Apr 20th, 2006 at 01:27:03 PM EST
Can I give you a MLW "11" for that???

I love the idea of the Bill of Rights on a charm bracelet! I'd personally by dozens and give them out to all the little girls that I know!

What a special memory.

Yes, most of the women in DAR are pretty old - LOL! In the group in SF the very active ones are in their 60's - 80's. The younger crowd (me included) are between 30-59. An occasional younger woman joins but she is usually the daughter or granddaughter of a member.

Consider this...those older women in the 1950's and even now...are well informed about the actions and activities of their country. Outside of the organization they are politically active however quietly that may appear. So...they remind me of my 80 year old mom...sitting in City Council meetings making the Mayor's life miserable in UT.

by SallyCat on Thu Apr 20th, 2006 at 01:36:27 PM EST
[ Parent ]
story, Brementown ;)  It's amazing what stays with us from our youngest years.  I moved around alot as a pre-school aged child but have vivid memories from some of the friendships that I had along the way.  I've been mildly successful at reconnecting with some of them because I think it's important to value the contact we share with other human beings.  It's all we've got sometimes.  Hope you're doing good!

Latino Político | "We are condemned to kill time, thus we die bit by bit." - Octavio Paz
by Man Eegee (man.eegee at gmail.com) on Thu Apr 20th, 2006 at 01:37:09 PM EST
[ Parent ]
SallyCat- I too enjoy genealogy.  My GGGGGgrandfather John Hiser served during the Revolution.  Recently a distant cousin joined the DAR using her connection to him.  I also have direct ancestors who served in the War of 1812, The Civil War, WWI, WWII and my brother who served in Vietnam.  As you know military records are amongst the most well preserved of all records.  John Hiser received land in KY as a result of his service.  Lucky for me someone tried to steal his widow's pension after he died.  Sarah had to go to court to prove her marriage was valid which led to a gold mine of information on her and John.   People who question my "patriotism"  because of my anti-war views are often treated to a litany of my family's service to this country.  
by momagainstthedraft on Thu Apr 20th, 2006 at 03:50:02 PM EST
In this war of words so many of us have family histories full of soldiers. Yet so many that are in power or in favor of this war do not.

Like you my family has fought in every war since the Revolution. My brother and I did not see overseas action but both served during Vietnam. I loved the '04 campaign and my "Veterans for Kerry" t-shirt! I can be anti-war and wear my veteran's t-shirts...and sneer at them!

Let's go get some butt together on those that would smear our patriotism!

by SallyCat on Thu Apr 20th, 2006 at 05:03:07 PM EST
[ Parent ]


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