Do your feet hurt yet?

Mine do! But that hasn’t stopped me from enjoying every moment of our time together!

Thank you for joining me last night for our annual Education Awards Night! It was inspiring and gratifying to recognize brilliant young people and educators who share our passion for history. And thank you, as well, for your work to publicize our contests and initiatives in your communities – you make it possible to honor the very best that our nation has to offer. Thanks, too, to the members of our outstanding DAR Chorus – we have missed your sweet voices!

Tonight, we spotlight another pillar of DAR work – historic preservation. We will recognize former Archivist of the United States David Ferriero, the Friends of Iolani Palace, PBS’s series on Benjamin Franklin and our DAR History Book Award winner. We will also present our first “new media” award that recognizes excellence in digital platforms of communication. Each of these honorees has contributed invaluable work to make history relevant for future generations, and we are privileged to present them with awards illustrating our appreciation.

But first, of course, we resume daytime business sessions, where we will begin to hear the reports of the State Regents. The business sessions of Congress are a great place to gain new ideas for projects or initiatives from State Regents’ reports – ideas that you can take back to your own states and chapters. We will also hear the nominations of candidates for Executive Office and Vice President General.

I look forward to greeting our State Vice Regents at their luncheon this afternoon, as well as attending the Education Luncheon.

Don’t forget to visit the DAR Store, open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Headquarters today! And if you haven’t already gotten over to the DAR Insignia Store in Constitution Hall, its hours are also 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Shop until you drop, ladies – the more you spend, the happier you will be!

It’s going to be another great day – and it’s no wonder why our feet hurt!