Daughters of the American Revolution has five chapters in North Dakota and 190,000 members in 3,000 chapters across the country and abroad.
But no matter where these women serve, they all have the same goal; their dedication to promoting patriotism, preserving American history and education.
“You know you can meet people who are not like you and you still have a lot of things in common which is great,” said Kim Breuer, Plum Valley Chapter Regent at Minot.
“[My] the connection goes through a guy named Jacob Jones, ”she explained. “He was born in Delaware, served in Pennsylvania. He was a bit in the Continental Army but he was mostly a border scout, he scouted for General Washington.
DAR has its own genealogical database, but Jacob Jones can be found with a simple Google search.
Jacob Jones is Breuer’s great-great-great-great-great-grandfather on his mother’s side and one of his tasks at the moment is also to research lineage on his father’s side.
For Diana Cabak, Registrar of the Plum Valley Chapter, her connection is from North Carolina.
“He fought in the American Revolution in 1755,” Cabak said. “It was a militia that volunteered in Pitt County.”
His name was Guillaume Ellis, which dates back eight generations and can also be found online.
While the only commonality needed to be a member is a direct connection to the American Revolution, the group’s mission reaches beyond its members.
“Just the ability to be of service because a lot of people think it’s a bunch of little old ladies sitting down and drinking tea,” Breuer said with a laugh. “And it is not.”
“It is a beautiful community of women who come together in a common spirit to preserve history, preserve patriotism, educate our future generations and strengthen this confidence in our country,” added Cabak.
DAR will host fundraisers, fundraisers, veterans projects and even scholarships.
Most recently, the Minishoshe-Mandan chapter planted a Never Forget garden near the Veterans Memorial Wall at the Morton County Courthouse.
This is just one example of how they pay tribute to our country. And for some, this honor is particularly close to home.
“My grandmother was a member of the DAR,” recalls Cabak. “She passed away before I joined, so her records are a new way to involve her in my life and the lives of my children.”
The organization of non-political, non-religious women volunteers can stretch back hundreds and hundreds of years, but it also looks to the future.
Breuer said: “The young people continue. “
Age is just a number, however. There are 65 years between the older and younger members of the Minot Chapter and these are relationships like the one that will continue to preserve our nation’s history while having a little fun.
“All women, they will tell you that they enjoy getting involved and doing things for other people,” Breuer said. “And then you have the camaraderie and the camaraderie.”
Cabak said: “It promotes this faith and confidence in the constitution and what it stands for and the sacrifices made to promote the way of life we enjoy today.”
The Daughters of the American Revolution are people you should know.
Breuer said any Chapter would be happy to help new members trace their lineage and welcome anyone interested.