The Chattanooga Daughters of the American Revolution held their joint luncheon at the Chattanooga Golf and Country Club. The five DAR Chapters included: Chickamauga, Chief John Ross, Judge David Campbell, Moccasin Bend, and Nancy Ward.
Barb Fickley is the chairman of the Regent’s Council and is a member of Moccasin Bend Chapter.
This year’s theme was World War I. Table decorations and timelines of the Great War were created by Regent Joye Duke and members of the Chickamauga Chapter.
Regent Natalie Blackwell from the Nancy Ward Chapter took care of the reservations for both local members and other members from throughout the state. State visitors included: State Regent Charlotte Reynolds, 2nd Vice Regent Emily Robinson, and Chaplain Jill Jones-Lazuka. Local state and national officers were: Corresponding Secretary Pamela McConnell, Historian Linda Moss Mines, and National Officer Susan Rogers Thomas, NSDAR vice president general.
Regent Jessica Mines Dumitru of the Chief John Ross Chapter set up World War I posters and other memorabilia throughout the luncheon area.
Regent Pam Randolph of the Moccasin Bend Chapter announced the special guest speaker, Major General William Raines, Jr. He presented a presentation on the Medal of Honor Heritage Center and its importance to American History. Chairman of the Regent's Council, Barb Fickley, presented Major General Raines a monetary donation to the Medal of Honor Heritage Center from the Tennessee Daughters Society of the American Revolution.
Every year one chapter presents a special award. This year, the Judge David Campbell Chapter’s Regent, Stacy Kehoe, presented the Community Service Award to BMC (SW) John O’Rourke, USN (Ret) for his dedication and attention to homeless veterans throughout the state of Tennessee. Mr. O’Rourke works with multiple veteran and non-veteran organizations to ensure homeless veterans are given the attention they need. Often volunteering on his own time after work, on weekends, and even the occasional holidays, Mr. O’Rourke is available to the veteran community. He is employed through Buffalo Valley, Inc.