The Dorothy Q Chapter, National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution, met at 1 p.m. Sept. 16 in the Elston Memorial House. Regent Michele Borden welcomed members and two special guests, Montgomery County Civic Band Director Gary Ketchum and his wife Vickie, and followed by leading everyone in the opening ritual.
Terri Fyffe read an exert from the President Generals Message and Ericia Church read the National Defender.
Regent Borden reported the Military Tribute Banner Program has been very well received by the city of Crawfordsville and surrounding towns of Attica, Covington and Veedersburg. Special thanks to Susan Fisher and Trudie Dillon for their hard work. Regent Borden also added, the Dorothy Q Chapter was recognized at the August District meeting for 125 years of NSDAR and was awarded the blue level award for chapter master report of promoting Education, Historic Preservation and Patriotism throughout the year.
Our special program and guest speaker, Montgomery County Civic Band Director and US Air Force Retiree, Gary Ketchum, who entertained the chapter members by telling of his 20-year military band career. As a recent high school graduate, he joined the US Air Force and then after practicing and working extremely hard was accepted into the Air Force band. He started as a saxophone player then switched to the clarinet. During his 20 years in the Air Force Band, he traveled to 35 different countries. The band helped to raise the moral or our troops and to foster goodwill. The military band played for many different occasions for state and foreign dignitaries, political officials, foreign diplomats as well as film/movie stars and military services for different types of ceremonies, memorials and funeral services. After he retired, he became a member of the Montgomery County Civic Band. The band has grown from 35 to now 50 members. Ketchum has been the conductor for 17 years. He concluded his presentation with playing God Bless America.
After the presentation, all members and guests adjourned into the dining room for refreshments provided by hostess committee, Rachel Brown as chair with Barb Taylor, Judy Fifer and Ericia Church. The table scape was of an autumn apple theme with delicious apple desserts, apple cake, camel apple bites, apple salad, cookies, cider and coffee.
Returning back to business meeting; Recording Secretary Gay Eagleston read the minutes from June 17 and were approved as read. Treasure Rachel Brown read the treasurer’s report and also gave a report on DAR schools.
Constitution Week is Sept. 17-23. Rachel Brown and Michele Borden donated garden flags to the chapter house as a public recognition.
Fall Forum Workshop is in Indianapolis at the North Marriot on Oct. 28 and Fall Forum is Oct. 29. In recognizing the 125th anniversary of DAR sponsored Hospital Nurse Corp. there will be a celebration in honoring all Indiana DAR members who are nurses.
Committee Project Patriot State Chair asked for help requesting cases of bottled water and hydro packets to Camp Atterbury, which we complied and sent out Aug. 11.
Regent Borden reminds chapter members of upcoming events; DAR Service for Veterans; chapter members will be at the American Legion’s Veterans Expo on Oct. 19 from 8 a.m. to noon. Veterans Day Parade, in which Dorothy Q Chapter will be participating and dedicating the Military Tribute Banners, on Saturday, Nov. 11.
Our next meeting will be at 1 p.m. Oct. 21, with a guided tour of the Lane Place by Docent Terri Fyffe.
Anyone with an interest or desire to promote historic preservation, education and patriotism; this could be for you, when you become a member of NSDAR: contact, Dorothy Q Chapter Regent, Michele Borden at michelelborden@gmail.com or Registrar, Erica Church at ericiachurch21@gmail.com for further information.
