Women’s group receives donation to help veterans
Eugene Smith, state registrar of the Arkansas General Society War of 1812, or GSW1812, recently presented Sheila Beatty-Krout, national Veterans Affairs representative for the United States Daughters of 1812, or U.S.D. 1812, a donation to be used for veterans.
The presentation was held during the Pine Bluff Triad meeting at the Pine Bluff Country Club, according to a news release. Representing George Mitchell, president of GSW1812, Smith stated this was one of the ways GSW1812 has joined forces with U.S.D. 1812.
The donation will be matched by U.S.D. 1812 and will be used for needed items as identified for the veterans housed at St. Francis House and the indigent/homeless veterans being served at the Eugene J. Towbin Healthcare Center.
The two groups have also joined forces in locating and marking the graves of soldiers of the War of 1812 buried in Arkansas. Over the past 110 years, 180 grave sites have been marked designating them as Veterans of the War of 1812. However, it is estimated nearly 600 more need marking and/or locating, according to the release.
“Many people do not think of Arkansas as having Veterans of the War of 1812 settling in the state, however, over 6,000 Bounty Land grants were issued for payment of military service, and although not all claimed their land, some did,” according to the release.
One of the oldest lineage societies, GSW 1812 membership is for male descendants of veterans who fought in the War of 1812. Details are available at their website https:// gswar1812.org.
U.S.D. 1812 membership is for female descendants of patriots who gave civil or military service between 1784 and 1815. Information for the women’s organization can be found at https://usdaughters1812.org.
“Both organizations have members throughout Arkansas, and their work encompasses remembering the veterans of all wars as well as other patriotic, historical and educational projects,” according to the release.