Battle of Moores Creek

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Every year in February, the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) participate in honoring the North Carolina Militia of 1776 for the battle that took place at Moore’s Creek Bridge. The DAR is represented by several state chapters from around the state along with government officials, National Park employees, reenactors and plain local folks.

This was the 237th anniversary of the battle, in which the South Carolina Militia engaged the British Regulars, colonial loyalists and Loyalist Scotchman, at Moore’s Bridge north of Wilmington, NC. On February 27, the Carolina Militia repelled the British thus setting the stage to drive the British from North Carolina completely.  North Carolina’s proud heritage includes being the first colonists to declare independence from Great Britain on May 20, 1775. 

Many believe that North Carolina became the first to declare independence from England with the Mecklenburg (county) Declaration of 1775, which dissolved the colony’s ties to the Great British a full year before the Declaration of Independence in 1776. The state of Rhode Island declared independence a year later, on May 4, 1776. When I Googled the question; “Who was the first?” I find almost all states try to claim to be the first. However, being a Tar Heel now, we know the real truth.

Posted by Carol Jutte (Photos taken by husband Jim)

Honor Flight

Burt Caessels and Walter Kollet, guest speakers from Honor Flight

The February 13, 2013 DAR meeting was held at the Reserve Golf Club in the Sun Room at St. James Plantation in Southport, NC. The guest speakers were Walter Kollet, Chairman of Honor Flight Myrtle Beach and Burt Cassels, retired Navy Captain and past Chairman.  They spoke about the honor flight program for WWII veterans.  The program currently seeks to honor all World War II Veterans, by providing an all-expenses paid trip to Washington, D.C. to see the many service memorials. Priority is given to those who are the most senior in age and those with terminal illness. As of December 2012, a total of 98,772 Veterans have been transported and 53,684 Guardians accompanied those Veterans.  The Myrtle Beach Hub has transported 405 of those Vets, just in the last two years. Once names of Veterans are submitted, the local Honor Flight organization goes into action to ascertain the funds for the flight, the room and board, and the transportation expenses in the Capitol.  Because the Vets are quite elderly, those attending to the soldiers provide the assistance and medical supplies which may be necessary.   In addition, a Guardian, often a family member or close personal friend, may accompany the Vet throughout his/her experience.   The first Honor Flight took place in May of 2005, when twelve World War II Veterans from Ohio were flow to Washing, DC to see "their" memorial. For further information e-mail: honorflightmyrtlebeach@gmail.com

In October of 2012 with the Honor Flight that left from Myrtle Beach, SC,  Ella Maugans, DAR veterans committee chair accompanied her father, Julian C. Odom who served in the Navy in both Atlantic and Pacific arenas. Part of the time he was stationed in Fort Caswell. There next "Honor Flight" will be August 28, 2013 from Myrtle Beach, SC.

posted  by Betsy Pessetto, Brunswick Town DAR membership committee chair

Jerry Odom, mother and Ella Maugans, daughter and members of  Brunswick Town DAR
Veterans Committee co-chair display the handi work of afghans that Jerry and Ella have
made for the Veterans in Fayetteville, NC. This picture was taken at the January 9, 2012 meeting that was held
at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Southport, NC

Ella Maugans and Carol Jutte diplay the lap blankets that Carol made from
beach towels. She sewed a colorful background on the beach towels and
they are ready for use by the Veterans in Fayetteville, NC.

This beautiful basket was made by DAR member Rhonda Amato. It's made of Longleaf pine needles, walnut slices and the various additions. This will be for the silent auction, not the teacup auction. Bidding will start at $5 and anyone interested will increase the bid. The silent auction will be held at the April 25-28^th NCSDAR State Conference at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel held in Durham, NC.

This signed and numbered, one-of-a-kind North Carolina Longleaf Pine needle basket represents the varied landscape of Eastern North Carolina. From our vast pine forests with abundant wildlife, to our pristine beaches which provide protected nesting grounds for sea turtles, Eastern North Carolina is a lovely vacation land. 

Featured within this basket are five symbols of North Carolina: 

Our state bird -- the Cardinal 

Flower -- Dogwood blossom 

Tree -- Pine Tree 

Mammal -- Eastern Gray Squirrel 

Our state seashell -- the Scotch Bonnet 

Dimensions are 9" x 12" x 2"

It is with love of North Carolina and DAR that I created and donate this basket.

Posted by Rhonda M. Amato  
We are looking for more donations for the auction  Please bring them to the March 13th meeting, which will be held at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Southport, NC.