Veterans Affairs Committee Report

Chapter members have long been loyal and generous supporters of the veterans at the Veterans Medical Center in Fayetteville.  This year, the chapter’s committee is composed of Jerry Odom, Ella Maugans, and Christine Frazier.  We are proud that Ella Maugans was selected as this year’s  Service to Veterans Committee State Chairman.  

About every 3 months, our committee representatives drive to Fayetteville to deliver items that veterans need based on regular conversations with Norma Fraser, Head of Voluntary Services at the hospital.  All items are donated by chapter members.  At the top of the list, year-round, are the beautiful quilts members make.

 In November, Jerry Odom took donations to the hospital.  In December Ella Maugans and Ronda Amato delivered our donations.  Their timing was perfect.  They saw the preparations going on for the delivery of Christmas bags to the patients and were given eleven (11) bags for delivery to nursing home patients in Wilmington and Winnabow.

In total in 2013,  the committee has delivered to the hospital the following items:

·         79 lap robes and coverlets—crocheted, quilted, fleece

·         50 magazines

·         98 calendars

·         35 notepads

·         568 toiletry items

·         72 clothing items—sweat pants, shirts, tee shirts, briefs, hankies, socks, pj’s, and a man’s suit.

·         51 composition books, pens, puzzles, calculators, and harmonicas

·         13 sugars, hot chocolates, creamer items

·         56 books and DVD’s

·         Over 400 cards

In addition to donations, the chapter participated in the following activities honoring veterans:

1. Participated in Veteran’s Day Ceremonies X 3 members
2. Visited veteran in Nursing Home X 9 times
3. Sponsored Wreaths Across American Ceremony by selling wreaths, contacting officials, participating in the ceremony, etc. The chapter sponsored a total of 54 wreaths.
4. Seven members participated in Wreaths Across America Ceremony.
5. Delivered Veterans gifts from Fayetteville VA Medical Center Voluntary Service to 11 patients in 2 nursing homes in Wilmington, NC and Brunswick County, NC.
6. Three members delivered gift items to Fayetteville VA Medical Center on four occasions.
7. CAR member sang National Anthem and played violin for July 4 celebration.
8. Escorted veteran to Honor Flight: One Last Mission ceremony honoring WW II veterans in Fayetteville, NC.
9. Donations made individually to Wounded Warriors, Adopt a Platoon and Wreaths Across America.
10. Visited Monuments, memorials and cemeteries: Arlington National Cemetery; American Cemetery in France, Yorktown, VA; Cox Cemetery, Scottville, NC; Fort Hancock in Sandy Hook, NJ; Red Bank Battlefield in Ft. Mercer, NJ; Moore’s Creek, NC; Pearl Harbor, HA; Arlington, WWII Memorial, Korean War Memorial, Viet Nam War Memorial; Mount Vernon, Monticello, Ash Lawn, Montpelier.
11. Two members taught a quilting class in which members made 20 red, white, and blue quilts for February Veterans’ Recognition.
12. A member obtained help from a community senior group to sign Christmas cards for delivery to the veterans’ hospital patients.

Submitted by Ella Maugans

DAR Service to Veterans chair

Ella Ruth Maugans and Rhonda Amato at the Fayetteville VA Medical Center delivered donations to the veterans.

Ella Ruth Maugans delivering a lot of wonderful items to the Veterans in Fayetteville, NC.

Jerry Odom, DAR co-chair with Norma Fraser, Head of Voluntary Services for 

Fayetteville Medical Center.