The Pine Bluff John McAlmont Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution met recently at the Pine Bluff Country Club. Regent Sandra Poore called the meeting to order and led the DAR Ritual assisted by Chaplain Cary Swanson.
Poore introduced guest speaker, Olivia Olson of Avoca, a DAR member from Marion Chapter at Fayetteville. Olson’s grandparents are from Rison and she has vivid memories of happy times spent in their home, according to a news release.
Olson learned that her grandfather guarded German prisoners of war housed at the Pine Bluff Arsenal during World War II. He related that during the war, German prisoners were held in POW camps across the U.S., with Pine Bluff being one of the sites. Approximately 300 Germans were held at the Arsenal.
“These prisoners worked in various positions, including cooks in the Arsenal kitchens. At one point, they were even hired by local farmers as laborers,” according to the release.
Olson also discussed research into this period of time at the Arsenal, including interviews with former Arsenal employees. She has researched through the National Archives and has written to families in Germany for further information.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
“She has compiled a wonderful history, both in writing and in pictures, from this time period. Her work will be available for viewing at the Pine Bluff Military and Veterans Museum which will be opening in the near future,” according to the release.
Olson has been actively interviewing and recording WWII Veteran stories for historic preservation. Olson wrote “Window of Time,” a book of short stories, including a story for each grandchild based on historical facts about people in her family tree. She had it published to keep the memories of her family alive. Olson presented each member with a copy.
Meanwhile during the meeting, Poore introduced the 2017 DAR Good Citizen Award Recipient, Rachel Grimes, who was accompanied by her mother, Ginni Grimes. Rachel, a recent graduate of Ridgway Christian School, read her winning essay entitled: “Our American Heritage and Our Responsibility for Preserving It.” Grimes received a certificate, a pin and a check for her winning essay.
Bob and Tess Nicholson Hill Scholarship Chairwoman, Sharon Wyatt, reported the winner of this year’s scholarship was Allison Morrisey. Morrisey will attend the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in the fall.
National Defense Chairwoman, Marjo Dill, reported that JROTC medals and certificates had been presented at high schools and one ROTC medal and certificate was presented at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. Those receiving the awards were: UAPB ROTC Cadet Gabrielle M. Smith, Pine Bluff High School JROTC Cadet Destiny Mayzes, Watson Chapel JROTC Cadet Alexis Dendy, and White Hall JROTC Cadet Lauren Bell.
The DAR Youth Citizenship Medal was presented to Yeasmean Dehaghani of White Hall Junior High.
Poore mentioned the May/June edition of the American Spirit magazine, pointing out an article entitled “DAR Forests from Coast to Coast.” In the article it was reported, “In 1939 Pine Bluff Chapter, Pine Bluff, AR, planted 4,000 trees in the Arkansas National Forest to celebrate the Arkansas DAR Golden Jubilee Project.”