ELIZABETHTOWN — Giving thanks to veterans past and present took center stage as members of the Battle of Elizabethtown Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution gathered for their meeting last Saturday at Elizabethtown Presbyterian Church.
Dr. Terri Duncan, the chapter regent, introduced Larry Hammonds, the guest speaker and Bladen County’s Officer for Veterans Affairs. Hammonds discussed his service experience and provided an overview of his lengthy career in assisting veterans through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Following Hammonds’ remarks, the chapter recognized Jessie Oliver Gause, a Bladenboro native and veteran of the Vietnam War who has, in recent years, placed flags upon hundreds of graves of veterans throughout the county and recorded valuable identity and service information in the process. Gause is a past Veterans of Foreign Wars post commander and a member of the Disabled American Veterans.
For his dedication and outstanding patriotic service, the chapter presented him with a Community Service Award.
Gause credited his wife and friend Layton Dowless, who procures government issued markers for veteran graves, for supporting his efforts.
Vice Regent Susie Wilkes followed the presentation with the reading of the famed John McCrae World War I tribute poem, “In Flanders Fields,” and pinned symbolic poppies on each visiting veteran.
Duncan concluded by asking the men to introduce themselves. Among the guests were several veterans of the Vietnam era and representatives of local VFW, DAV and American Legion chapters. The guests were thanked for their service.
Shirley Bridger returned thanks to God with a blessing after which the hostess committee chaired by Ann MacDuffee, provided lunch for all in attendance.
Chapter members continued the annual tradition of bringing gifts to the meeting for veteran patients in the Fayetteville VA Hospital. The chapter’s Vietnam 50th Anniversary Commemorative Committee pledged to continue to pin veterans of the Vietnam War whenever possible in the manner prescribed by the Department of Defense.
In its business meeting, the chapter received available officer and committee reports that included women’s issues, discussion of local historic preservation initiatives and forthcoming announcements of winners from the American History and National Defense committees. The Battle of Elizabethtown Chapter will next meet at Cape Fear Vineyard & Winery on Jan. 11 at 11 a.m.
The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution is a nonprofit service organization whose efforts are to improve patriotism, historic preservation and education. Founded in 1890, membership is open to all women age 18 and older who descend from a proven patriot of the American Revolution. Any woman interested in becoming a member should visit dar.org or contact a chapter member.
Larry Hammonds (third from left) was the guest speaker for the Veterans Day ceremony hosted by the Battle of Elizabethtown Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Oliver Gause of Bladenboro, a veteran of the Vietnam War, was honored with a Community Service Award from the Battle of Elizabethtown Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. In the presentation are Dr. Terri Duncan (left), the chapter regent, and Susie Wilkes, the vice regent.