Photos and Highlights from the January Brunswick Town DAR Meeting

L to R: Paul Witmer and Kathy Miller, Community Service Award Chair

Community Service Award:  Kathy Miller presented Paul Witmer with the Brunswick Town Chapter Community Service Certificate in recognition for his work with Brunswick County Homeless Coalition.  He was also given a certificate and donation to the Brunswick County Homeless Coalition.  Paul was our speaker in November 2019.

Historian, Dana Majernik thanked members who continue to bring in news articles. According to the January 3rd, 2020 National blog, the final day to order pins from Hamilton Jewelers is February 28, 2020.  Otherwise, it will be necessary to wait to order pins until the National website launches its online sales in approximately June 2020, prior to Continental Congress.

As Historian it is part of my job to nominate an American History book and a Children's American History book for awards.  She asked members to submit the names of any books for nomination that meets the following criteria:

     --be historical, non-fiction, or biography

     --be focused on American history from the Early Colonial Period (1607-the landing at        Jamestown) through the Federalist Period (1801--Jefferson's first inauguration)    

     --be written in English

     --be published during the past five years by a reputable publisher, not self-published

     --be peer-reviewed

     --be an original contribution to the body of historical knowledge or add new information to the previously familiar materials

AND FOR THE CHILDREN'S BOOK

     --be a contribution to American History for which children are the main audience.  The book must display respect for children's understandings, abilities, and appreciations.  Children are defined as persons of ages up to and including fourteen.  Books will be considered for this entire age.

This month's poster was created to emphasize the many, many, organizations and individuals that came together in unity to honor those who have served this nation.  Some of those at the Wreaths Across America event were:  the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Hanover County Commissioners, a judge, two ladies signing for the deaf, Gold Star Mothers, Sons of the American Revolution, members of active military. DAR, ROTC, and local and state officials,

 And the Honor Guard that escort the soldier on his final journey home. 

National Defense Chair Kathy Johnson reported about “Could you pass the Naturalization Civics test?” She challenged us to answer the 100 questions that immigrants need to know to answer the 10 they are given at their interview.  The questions are only one-third of what they need to do to pass. The first portion of the test is to meet with an agent of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, a division of Homeland Security.  They will be asked about their application and their background, next they take an English test that has three components; reading, writing and speaking.  The agent evaluates their proficiency of their English throughout.  Lastly, they have 100 questions on our civics and history to learn ahead of time.  They will be asked 10 of those questions orally and need to get at least 6 correct to pass.  

Constitution Minute:  Chair Diane Fotinatos reported:  In the summer of 1765, nine merchants and tradesmen gathered in Boston to organize opposition to the Stamp Act.  “The Loyal Nine” as they sometimes called themselves were a secret revolutionary organization created in the thirteen colonies to advance the rights of the European colonists and to fight taxation by the British government.  Under a different well-known name, organizers publically summoned colonists to a Liberty Tree or other meeting place. They even had their own flag called the rebellious stripes flag that had nine vertical stripes, four white and five red.  Their motto was “no taxation without representation”.  QUESTION:  What was another more popular name of “The Loyal Nine”?  
ANSWER:  Sons of Liberty, which was answered correctly by: Sally Meginley.