Despite a severe weather forecast, members and guests traveled from California and all points of Arkansas to attend the 111th Arkansas State Council of the United States Daughters of 1812.
The special guest was President National Cher Sesma of California. This year, the meeting was held at the Pine Bluff Country Club.
The Arkansas chapter was organized in 1906 and held its first state council in 1914. The national society was funded in 1892 and is headquartered in Washington. It is a nonprofit, nonpolitical women’s service organization for descendants of American patriots who rendered civil, military or naval service to the country during 1784-1815, according to a news release.
Veterans were remembered with grave markings and dedications for patriots and their daughters. Marked were James Williams, John Gulley, John Purifoy and his daughters, Patience Caroline Purifoy Lee and Martha Williams Purifoy Hobdy.
The emphasis is on Veterans: Past Veterans, Today’s Veterans, and our Future Veterans.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Past veterans, who are not named, are remembered as the group places a wreath on 3,100 graves of unknown soldiers at the Little Rock National Cemetery. This project started eight years ago.
Today’s veterans are remembered by the group donating clothing and housewares. Since January 2024, the chapters have collected needed items.
Deliveries are made to the Veterans Affairs Center for Development and Civic Engagement concentrating on veterans with indigent status or no home. Throughout 2024, Arkansas has delivered almost $18,000 worth of items.
Flag pins were “pinned” on 100 veterans. Members volunteer hundreds of hours with two members trained by the VA as No Veteran Dies Alone volunteers.
The organization works with 15 high schools and universities, and delivered JROTC/ROTC medals and certificates recognizing future soldiers, marines, sailors and airmen. They also worked with elementary schools to instill patriotism with programs on Dictionary Day, Star-Spangled Banner Day, Constitution Day and Veterans Day. The group provided flags and dictionaries to students.
Details: State President Sheila Beatty-Krout at beattykrout@suddenlink.net.