Today's DAR
Visiting the Pelican State
I flew from the Texas State Conference in Houston to the Louisiana State Capital, Baton Rouge for the 107th State Conference, Sue Lewis Simpson, State Regent. Sue’s theme is “Sowing Seeds of Service – Focusing on the Future” and her emblem is the state flower, the iris. The Louisiana Society has almost 3,000 members in 46 chapters. Conference pre-registration was high but torrential rains flooded much of north Louisiana that weekend and many of the members were unable to attend the conference.
I arrived in time for the National Defense Luncheon on Friday and learned that the Navy JROTC Color Guard was unable to appear because schools were closed throughout the state due to the flooding. The scheduled speaker, U.S. Congressman Ralph Abraham, M.D., was unable to attend for the same reason. State Chair Kay Katz remained calm and found a wonderful substitute speaker, Kenneth Altazan, on very short notice. Mr. Altazan served two tours in Vietnam as a helicopter crew chief, earned three Purple Hearts and a Silver Star which was recently upgraded to a Navy Cross. He gave an excellent talk on the importance of honoring our veterans.
The second Business Session followed the luncheon with state chairs reporting. All laughed when the Celebrate America! Chair started her remarks with “Butter me up and call me a biscuit! We had 62,534 hours of community service!” It was a pleasure to present the certificates for 100% participation in the President General’s Project and to hear of the many accomplishments of the Louisiana Daughters. Junior Membership Chair Lauren Pourciau gave me a copy of the wonderful cookbook, DARlicious! which the Louisiana Junior Membership Committee had compiled. I am eager to try some of the good Cajun recipes in it.
A reception and photographs were planned at the Capitol Park Museum, but it, too, was closed. Thankfully, the Museum Director was kind enough to open the doors for the Conference guests to view Sue’s State Regent’s project which was the restoration and installation of a huge mosaic by Conrad Albrizio (1894-1973). This piece originally hung on an exterior wall in the New Orleans Mental Health Center in Algiers, LA, which was slated for demolition after Hurricane Katrina. The mosaic, crafted in 1963 entirely of stone features an idyllic depiction of life as it should be, filled with friends, fun and happy fantasy, designed to bring joy to those who frequented the facility. The largest of Albrizio’s pieces, measuring 50 feet long, the mural was put in storage for six years until funds could be raised for the restoration. The Louisiana Society DAR raised an impressive $70,000 including a $10,000 Special Projects Grant from NSDAR.
At the Opening Night Session, Conference guests Recording Secretary General Barbara Carpenter, State Regent of KY Barbara Zink and State Regent of TN Susan Thomas brought greetings. The American History Teacher of the Year was honored along with a lovely young woman who had not only attended school full time, but also cared for her mother during her terminal illness. This brave, composed young woman was an inspiration to us all.
After my presentation on the Guardian Trust Campaign and the need to guard that which is committed to our trust, Sue announced a generous gift to the Guardian Trust Campaign and gave me a charm for my bracelet. The LSDAR choir, under the leadership of Nanette Davis, entertained with familiar patriotic songs. However, the finale was a rendition of “Going Back to Houston” which Nanette had adapted and personalized. It was hilarious, particularly when Mildred Bonner, wearing a cowboy hat, rode in on a stick horse and brought the house down!! I would never tell a lady’s age, but I can tell that Mildred joined as a Junior member 55 years ago
The Heritage Club dessert reception was held after the evening banquet which provided an opportunity to express appreciation to those who gave generous gifts to the National Society and to answer their questions.
Unfortunately, I had to leave during the Saturday morning business session to leave to catch a plane and missed the remaining reports and the Awards Luncheon. The Louisiana Daughters certainly proved their resilience and their devotion to DAR as they sowed seeds of service and focused on the future.