Today's DAR
As part of our VanBuren Administration’s emphasis on recognizing the men and women who achieved American independence, chapters are urged to conduct an annual Memorial Service honoring the Patriots of the American Revolution. Though these short devotions may occur at any time, they are especially requested to be included within regular meetings conducted during the month of November, as we give thanks for the blessings that our Patriot ancestors won on our behalf.
Chapter Patriot Memorial Services Launched
The annual service is derived from our charge to fulfill the objectives laid forth at the first meeting of the DAR: to perpetuate the memory and spirit of the men and women who achieved American Independence; to carry out the injunction of Washington in his farewell address to the American people, "to promote, as an object of primary importance, institutions for the general diffusion of knowledge, thus developing an enlightened public opinion…"; and to cherish, maintain, and extend the institutions of American freedom, to foster true patriotism and love of country, and to aid in securing for mankind all the blessings of liberty.
Chapters are welcome to customize the service to honor local or chapter Patriots; they may also choose to more generically memorialize all those who sacrificed during our nation’s fight for independence. Chaplains should feel free to personalize the service to best resonate with their membership. And let us be sure to include the many foreign-born, females and Patriots of color who sacrificed so that the privilege of citizenship might be ours.
Original prayers/ceremonies are encouraged. Chaplains may find inspiration from drawing upon earlier editions of the National Society’s Rituals, which may be found here: https://www.dar.org/members/forms-publication-category/Rit_and_Miss. Others may prefer to adapt this ceremony sample for their own needs.
Chaplain:
We gather to recall the men and women who imperiled their lives, fortunes and sacred honor to form these United States of America.
All:
Let us always remember.
Chaplain:
We recognize their boldness, their courage, their character. We honor their vision, their selflessness, their resolve.
All:
Let us forever respect.
Chaplain:
As the descendants of ordinary men and women who achieved extraordinary things, we salute their determination to forge a democracy within a republic, and we recommit to our fundamental responsibility to fulfill our obligations as active, engaged citizens.
All:
Let us pledge our patriotism.
Chaplain:
Let us then, each in turn, speak aloud the name of one Patriot whom we wish to honor today, e.g.
“Patrick Henry,” “Nathan Hale,” “Margaret Corbin,” or “Agrippa Hull.”
All:
Each member cites the name of a single Patriot (their own ancestor or any man or woman who aided the cause), citing service if known.
Chaplain:
“E Pluribus Unum.” From many one – let us remember that just as our ancestors united to found a nation, so must we strive to both serve and unite our beloved country in order to fulfill its perpetual destiny as a beacon for freedom-loving people everywhere on earth.
Our closing words were composed by the Father of our Country. Please bow your heads for “Washington’s Prayer for our Nation.”
“I now make it my earnest prayer, that God would have the United States in his holy protection, that he would incline the hearts of the Citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to Government, to entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another, for their fellow citizens of the United States at large, and particularly for their brethren who have served in the Field, and finally, that he would most graciously be pleased to dispose us all, to do Justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that Charity, humility and pacific temper of mind, which were the Characteristicks (sic) of the Devine Author of our blessed Religion, and without an humble imitation of whose example in these things, we can never hope to be a happy Nation. Amen.”
