Mary Ellen Smith of Kailua-Kona was one of more than 3,500 members of the Daughters of the American Revolution who converged in Washington, D.C., in June for the DAR Continental Congress, a time-honored tradition of the historic organization.
Mary Ellen Smith of Kailua-Kona was one of more than 3,500 members of the Daughters of the American Revolution who converged in Washington, D.C., in June for the DAR Continental Congress, a time-honored tradition of the historic organization.
While at the convention, she attended a weeklong schedule of business sessions, committee meetings and social functions and was installed as Hawaii state regent during the annual national installation ceremony.
Smith is a member of the Hawaii Loa Chapter, based on the Big Island, and serves as the divisional national vice chairman of commemorative events.
Since the organization’s founding 123 years ago, national, state and chapter leaders from around the world have met at the DAR National Headquarters in the U.S. Capital to report on the year’s work, honor outstanding award recipients, plan future initiatives and reconnect with friends.
Highlights of the convention included opening night guest speakers Leigh Keno of “Antiques Roadshow,” who received the DAR Historic Preservation Recognition Award, and Rich Little, comedian and voiceover actor, who received the DAR Americanism Award, given to a distinguished naturalized citizen.
On National Defense Night, an evening honoring our nation’s military, the keynote address was delivered by Navy Vice Admiral Robin R. Braun and Army (Ret.) Lt. Gen. Claude “Mick” Kicklighter.
“It’s inspiring to see more than 3,500 members travel to Washington to celebrate the accomplishments of the past year to preserve the past, enhance the present and invest in the future,” said DAR President General Merry Ann T. Wright. “Attendees show great enthusiasm to participate in seminars and workshops during the conference to enhance their work of promoting historic preservation, education and patriotism back in their communities. The reports given at our Continental Congress make it clear that the DAR is playing an important role in cities and towns across America.”
The national society Daughters of the American Revolution was founded in 1890 to promote historic preservation, education and patriotism. Its members are descended from the patriots who won American independence during the Revolutionary War. With more than 175,000 members in approximately 3,000 chapters worldwide, DAR is one of the world’s largest and most active service organizations. To learn more about the work of today’s DAR, visit www.DAR.org or www.youtube.com/TodaysDAR.