Hendersonville – The Joseph McDowell Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution held a luncheon meeting at the Champion Hills Club in Hendersonville at which they recognized and honored four outstanding high school students for being exemplary citizens. These students were chosen by the faculty and their peers. These outstanding students participated in extracurricular activities, contributed to the community, demonstrated preparation for college, and exemplified the qualities that make a good citizen: dependability, service, leadership, and patriotism. The students chosen were Maria Hansen of Henderson County Early College, Adelaide DiMeglio of Hendersonville High School, Kaitlyn Chandler of West Henderson High School, and Caitlyn McMinn of North Henderson High School. All attended the meeting, some with family members and counselors. Each received a $50.00 check, a pin, and a certificate from the Joseph McDowell Chapter.
The DAR Good Citizenship Award and Scholarship Contest was created in 1934 and is intended to encourage and reward the qualities of good citizenship. The Good Citizens Award and Scholarship Essay Contest was created that year by a resolution of the DAR Continental Congress. To date, more than 6,000 students have participated in the program. These students are selected by their teachers and peers because they demonstrate these qualities to an outstanding degree. This program is only open to students whose schools are accredited and in good standing with their state board of education. Only one student per year may be honored as a school’s DAR Good Citizen. U.S. citizenship is not required.
The four local students who read their essays for the contest at the meeting were responding to this question: How will the essential actions of a good citizen (dependability, service, leadership, and patriotism) meet the challenges that America faces in this decade? The students emphasized the many challenges this country is currently facing, such as inequality, climate change, and poverty. Scholarships are awarded to essay winners at a later date.
Maria Hansen wrote, “If we continue to be patriotic, then others may believe there can be a change for the better, and we can continue to grow as a whole to be more productive, caring, and involved in our country.” Adelaide DiMeglio said that “by holding the door for people or smiling at someone struggling, we can work to end the division that is holding us back.” Kaitlyn Chandler said in her essay that “the ability of a good citizen to demonstrate pride in the country is infectious and will often motivate others to recognize what they appreciate about their country and ways in which it can be improved.” Caitlyn McMinn said, “Patriotism encourages people to address modern issues, and that address can look different for each person. We can serve our community in many ways and from many places.”
The Local DAR Chapter and Activities
The Hendersonville Chapter of the DAR was founded in 1916 and named “Joseph McDowell” after Revolutionary War Colonel Joseph McDowell (1758–1795) of Pleasant Gardens in current-day McDowell County. He was a member of the Overmountain Men and an American Revolutionary War hero who fought at the Battle of Kings Mountain. Colonel McDowell also served in the 3rd U.S. Congress of 1793–1955. McDowell County is named in his honor.
A wide variety of activities take place throughout the year by the members of this DAR chapter. Valentine’s Day cards and boxes of candies were collected at the luncheon meeting and have been sent to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in Goldsboro, N.C., to celebrate Valentine’s Day. This was part of the chapter’s participation in the DAR Project Patriot Committee’s “Operation Show Our Military Some Love.” There is a sewing, knitting, and crocheting group that produces beautiful toys, blankets, scarves, and other much-needed items for Crossnore children and veterans at the Charles George VA Medical Center in Asheville.
In addition, the Service for Veterans Committee sponsors monthly special activities and donations for the Warriors Recovery Unit at the Charles George VA Medical Center. This February, those in the hospital recovering were treated to a Super Bowl party with food, games, and prizes. In addition, the committee supported the Blue Ridge Honor Flight trip to Washington, D.C., and their welcome home last year.
Many people are unaware of the unspoken problems of homeless women veterans, one of the fastest-growing populations in the United States. These women face a unique set of challenges differing from their male counterparts, including prejudice, a vast discrepancy in pay, and military sexual trauma (MST) that cannot be treated in the same fashion as male peers. In 2017, Alyce Knaflick presented the program on Aura Home to the Joseph McDowell Chapter. She has been working hard to help women veterans find a stable place to call home while transitioning back into society. When renovated, the 7,500-square-foot Hendersonville facility will offer 12–15 beds, physical and mental therapy, and a four-tier rehabilitation program. It will also provide daily necessities, job training, financial and legal assistance, as well as medical care. Last year, the chapter took an active role in supporting Aura Home through volunteer hours and needed supply donations. For more information on this DAR Chapter, go to www.ncdar.org/JosephMcDowell/
The National Organization
The Daughters of the American Revolution organization was founded in 1890 and is headquartered in Washington, D.C. It is a non-profit, non-political volunteer women’s service organization dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history, and securing America’s future through better education for children. As an inclusive genealogical society, DAR boasts 190,000 members in 3,000 chapters across the United States and internationally. Any woman 18 years of age 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. For more information, go to www.dar.org.