Three members of the Ardmore Daughters of the American Revolution chapter traveled to Washington, D.C., to attend the 118th Continental Congress July 8-12.
The nation’s capital welcomed more than 3,000 members to DAR Constitutions Hall. Opening-night keynote speaker Lt. Col. Michael Strobl, the subject and co-writer of the HBO film “Taking Chance,” shared his experience serving as military escort to bring home the remains of Lance Cpl. Chance Phelps, a young soldier killed in Iraq. Strobl accepted the National DAR Media Award on behalf of HBO Films.
The opening-night ceremonies also featured renowned civil rights leaders Dorothy Height, who was honored with the organization’s highest award, the DAR Medal of Honor, recognizing her outstanding lifetime achievements in furthering equality and human rights.
Entertainment legend and philanthropist Dolly Parton received the Founders Medal for Education for her literacy program Imagination Library.
The National Defense Night keynote speaker was Gen. Ann Dunwoody, the first woman four-star general in U.S. military history.
Aaron Tippin, country music star and celebrity spokesperson for various military support organizations, received the Founders Medal for Patriotism, and performed duing the ceremony, which honors and celebrates the nation’s service personnel and veterans.
The DAR Continental Congress is a time-honored tradition that has been conducted in Washington, D.C., as the annual national meeting of the DAR membership since the organization’s founding.
National, state and chapter leaders, as well as other members from across the country and around the world, meet at the headquarters to report on the year’s work, honor outstanding award recipients, plan future initiatives and reconnect with friends.
The week-long convention consists of business sessions, committee meetings and social functions and is topped off with three formal evening ceremonies.
To learn more about DAR, visit www.DAR.org.
