Last Saturday, 28 Vietnam Era Veterans were welcomed home at a special event held by two local chapters of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). Noblesville’s Horseshoe Prairie Chapter, DAR and Carmel’s Jonathan Jennings Chapter, DAR volunteered at the “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans” event as part of The Military & Veteran Celebration and Resource Fair sponsored by the Hamilton County Bicentennial Committee.
Chapter members were honored to meet, greet, and thank so many Vietnam Veterans. Each veteran was presented the gift of A Time to Honor, a hardcover book with DVD documentary, a special Welcome Home pin, and had their photograph taken. Chapter members present included Shirley Smith, DAR Chapter Regent of Horseshoe Prairie, along with Margaret Hentz, Barbabra Mitchell, Lisa Fisher, and Jamie Ginder from the Jonathan Jennings DAR Chapter.
“It was such an honor to talk with the veterans and thank them for their service,” Smith said. “They were pleased that we cared and acknowledged that their contribution to our country was valuable. The veterans were also complimentary of the NSDAR and our regard for history and the veterans.”
Regent Shirley Smith with her husband Ron Smith, a Vietnam Veteran. (Photo provided)
The Welcome Home event was sponsored by Bonnie Wooten, Indiana Vice Chair DAR Service to Veterans, and Jill Fewell, Executive Director Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans. Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Inc. is an Indiana-based non-profit corporation that organizes, conducts, and supports events and activities which promote the general welfare and gratitude to all Vietnam Veterans of the United States and their families. The two DAR chapters are planning to hold another event on Nov. 1 in Noblesville.
About the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution
The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution is a women’s service organization whose members can trace their lineage to an individual who contributed to securing American independence during the Revolutionary War. Today’s DAR is dynamic and diverse, with over 185,000 members in 3,000 chapters in the United States and abroad. DAR members annually provide millions of hours of volunteer service to their local communities across the country and world. DAR chapters participate in projects to promote historic preservation, education, and patriotism. Over one million members have joined the organization since its founding in 1890.
If you are interested in learning more about DAR membership, visit DAR.org.
The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution was founded in 1890 to preserve the memory and spirit of those who contributed to securing American independence. For more than 130 years, the DAR has strived to bring awareness to the honorable sacrifices and enduring legacy of all patriots who fought for America’s freedom. Through the DAR Genealogical Research System (DAR.org/GRS), the public can access a free database of information amassed by the DAR about these patriots. DAR is a nonprofit, nonpolitical Women’s service organization.