The Jonathan Hardin Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, Inc. hosted a Veteran’s Appreciation Luncheon in conjunction with the monthly Chapter meeting on November 13, 2024. For our special meeting, we met at the First United Methodist Church in Mexia.
Regent Patti Gauntt called the Luncheon meeting to order. First Vice-Regent Kay Alston gave the invocation which was followed by pledges to the United States and Texas Flags, the recitation of the American’s Creed and the Preamble to the Constitution of the United States of America.
Thirty-four veterans were in attendance. They served in the US Army, the US Navy, US Air Force, and the Army National Guard.
Two veterans that served in World War II were Mr. Harry Hughes (US Army) and Mr. Ernest Terry (US Marine Corps).
Our Veterans served in the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Persian Gulf War, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom (War in Afghanistan) and many other special deployments. Their specialties were diverse.
Our veterans represented a multitude of career fields. Each veteran was recognized by name and given a “Thank You” lapel pin.
Highlights of their military career were shared with the group in a slide presentation.
Eleven family members, and 22 members were in attendance and were welcomed also.
Cindy Avery gave our National Defense Minute: Remembering France’s Revolutionary War Support and our Veterans’ Service.
Susan Rankin gave a presentation on Sergeant Billy Walkabout, a member of the Cherokee Nation who served in the Vietnam War. He is thought to be the most decorated Native American soldier of the Vietnam War.
Sponsorship Group Leader, Beth Harrison gave a presentation on Wreaths Across America. The Jonathan Hardin Chapter, NSDAR, Inc., a sponsorship group has raised funds throughout the year to sponsor the placement of over 630 veterans’ wreaths on the headstones of our fallen service members laid to rest at the following cemeteries: LaSalle (Groesbeck), New Hope (Jewett), Salem (Teague), Driver (Teague), and our newest site, Wortham (Wortham). In addition to these locations, two other organizations have joined the WAA mission; this is the first year the Veteran’s Remembrance Park-Teague and Shanks Cemetery Association will participate as registered sites.
A Certificate of Appreciation and WAA coin were given to Mr. Ed Marcotte. Mr. Marcotte saw a need and made presentations to nine Masonic Lodges in District 22. He collected over $1,800 for veteran wreath sponsorships.
Paper copies of the ceremony times were available to attendees.
Special recognition was given to two DAR members, Mrs. Terri Pryor-Patterson and Mrs. Dani Manning. Ms. Patterson is a Gold-Star Mother, who lost her son, Sgt Maj Ryan Sartor to enemy fire in 2019 in Afghanistan as a Special Forces-Ranger Airborne. Mrs. Manning served in the United Services Organization (USO) during the Vietnam War as an entertainer. She shared her experience in the combat zones, alongside other soldiers.
This year’s Chapter DAR Veteran Volunteer Award was given to Beth Harrison.
Beth is a retired Major from the USAF (1984-2004) and served in England during the Persian Gulf War in 1991. Beth has a heart for serving in her community to veterans, as well as anyone in need of a helping hand. She has been instrumental in setting up Jonathan Hardin Chapter’s sponsorship group with Wreaths Across America.
After a blessing was given by Kay Alston, the group feasted on an “All American Meal”: cheeseburgers, chili dogs, chips, cupcakes, ice cream and beverages.
The delicious meal was catered by “The Old Gin” restaurant in Wortham, TX. Beverages were provided by Parkview Medical Center, Mexia.
After the meal, a drawing for a beautiful blanket that was donated by Limestone Medical Center, Groesbeck was held–Lt. Col. Bill Matthews won the blanket!
Patti Gauntt made closing remarks.
Thank you to the First United Methodist Church-Mexia; Madison Elliott for our festive balloon display; Mike Terry Chevrolet GMC and Walmart – Mexia for giving monetary donations; the Freestone Credit Union- Teague for providing insulated bags with various goodies for our Veterans; Parkview Medical Center for the beverages and the note pads given to all attendees; and Limestone Medical Center for the blanket.
Benediction was given by Mrs. Kay Alston.
Meeting was called to adjourn.
