By Rebecca Hold
DAR Regent and Publicity chair

The Okemah Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution met January 21 for the first meeting of the year 2020 at Pepino’s Restaurant in Okemah.
The tables were beautifully decorated with a patriotic theme by the hostesses Ann Jackson and Sheldon Starr. Regent Rebecca Hold opened the meeting and led the opening ritual, flag salute, The American’s Creed, and the Preamble to the Constitution, and Sherrie Case led the group in the singing of the National Anthem.
Regent Hold welcomed guests and prospective members Druann Perrier and Susan Gilchrist. Members celebrating birthdays this month are Theo Crawley on the 15th and Mary June Cashman. Mary June became 90 on the 29th. The chapter happily joined in the birthday song for these two dear longtime members. DAR Installation
Three ladies, Chris Garber and her two daughters, Lauren Garber and Emmy Garber Baird, were welcomed to the chapter as new members by Regent Becky Hold, and Chaplain Dorothy Burden led them in the oath of membership. They were pinned with a gold DAR pin and given membership packets with good wishes and DAR member information. Our official membership total is now 54 with 10 new members for the year 2019 and four more applications awaiting approval in the Washington, DC, headquarters.
Ann Jackson presented an interesting and informative program on “Insignia, Pins, and Their Meaning,” which explained the meaning behind the official insignia pin, outlined the way to earn official pins, and demonstrated the correct order of assembling them on the ribbon.
Rebecca Hold presented the President General’s Message, Judith Drennan the National Defense Report, Carol Musick the Conservation Minute, June Yahola both the Constitution Minute and Flag Fact, and Dorothy Burden presented the Indian Fact.
Plans were in the making for hosting the Naturalization Ceremony on March 11 in Tulsa, and the nominating committee was completed with the election of Sheldon Starr by the chapter and the appointment of Thelma Shield by Regent Hold. Ann Jackson was previously elected by the Board and serves as chairperson. The committee will present the new slate of officers, and the election of new officers will be held at the next meeting.
Members were urged to turn in their “Service to America” hours, and Regent Hold finished logging in our chapter’s 2019 hours for “Service to America” before the deadline. Our chapter’s total was 1,133 hours. After the usual order of business, the tickets for door prizes were drawn and the winners were Dorothy Haynes, Rebecca Hold, Judi Drennan, Dorothy Burden, and Susan Gilchrist, afterwards chaplain Dorothy Burden gave the benediction.
The next business meeting will be February 18th at Pepino’s Restaurant in Okemah. The hostesses will be Geneva Bertges and June Yahola. Our Oklahoma state Registrar, Etta Reid, will present the program, “How to Write Your Family History.” Etta is an experienced and dynamic speaker. You won’t want to miss it. If you are interested in your family history and have had thoughts about becoming a DAR member, you are welcome to come to our meetings. Our Regent and Registrar will be very happy to assist you in any way to apply for membership.