To commemorate the Daughters of the American Revolution’s (DAR) 125 years of service to America on the National DAR Day of Service, the Pack Horse Ford Chapter held a ceremony at Elmwood Cemetery in Shepherdstown on Sunday, Oct. 11. The DAR was founded on Oct. 11, 1890, to promote historic preservation, education and patriotism.

The ceremony honored 10 past Chapter Regents interred at Elmwood Cemetery. The Regents included Mary Ella Mathiot Butler Gibson, Virginia Strider Harrison, Rachel Snyder, Alice Gotshall Kenamond, Nellie May Hendricks Moler, Leone Bent Stutzman, Grace Yoke White, Gladys Link Hartzell, Ruth Power Thacher and Augusta Morgan Phillips. Descendants of the Regents were special guests of the chapter.

In preparation for the ceremony, the chapter had the graves of the past Regents cleaned, straightened and marked with DAR markers. On the day of the ceremony, beautiful potted mums were placed at the grave sites.

The processional was led by the Henrietta Bedinger Lee Society of the National Society Children of the American Revolution Color Guard with the Invocation given by the Chapter’s Chaplain, Mary Wood. The Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the U.S.A. was led by Jane Snyder, representing past Regent Rachel Snyder’s family. The American’s Creed was led by Historian Cindy Nicewarner, a cousin of past Regent Gladys Link Hartzell. First Vice Regent Patricia Toffling gave the Welcome and Regent Cheryl Brown paid tribute to the past chapter regents.

Past State West Virginia DAR Conservation Committee Chairman Margaret Writt presented a gift of a Memorial Tree of Remembrance to Elmwood Cemetery Association President Richard H. Brown. C.A.R. member Carsyn Blenker placed a wreath on the Bee Line March Monument to remind attendees that the ceremony would not have been possible without the bravery and skill of the men who fought in the American Revolution. At the conclusion of the ceremony, everyone was invited to stroll through the cemetery and visit the 10 graves.

A reception was held at the Entler Hotel hosting approximately 50 guests with delicacies made by chapter members including Chairman Kathy Sholl, Darla Ambrose, Nancy Bender, Melissa Chapman, Mary Davis, Mary Gageby, Teresa Hendricks, Kathleen Murdock, Johnna Nicewarner, Lou Ann Stovall, Polly Wharton, Mary Wood and Margaret Writt.

Planning for the event was completed by the chapter Centennial Committee led by Chairman and Honorary Regent Dorrene Hale. Committee members include Barbara Nickell, Betty Ann Lowe, Second Vice Regent Patricia Stealey, Tara Fritz, Margaret Writt and Jean Elliott. Logistical support was provided by the General Adam Stephen Chapter, National Society Sons of the American Revolution.

With 125 years of tradition, the DAR is deeply rich in history, while also being truly relevant in today’s world. More than 930,000 members have belonged to this nonprofit, nonpolitical volunteer women’s service organization. DAR is dedicated to preserving American history, securing America’s future through better education, and promoting patriotism. To learn more about the work of today’s DAR, visit www.DAR.org. For more information about the Pack Horse Ford Chapter, contact Regent Cheryl Brown at 304-876-3817.