Edmond DAR celebrates Fourth
EDMOND — July Fourth is usually known as a day of celebration, but the Edmond Daughters of the American Revolution also call it a time to recall what the country fought for during its independence.
“We are a group of women who want this country free,” said Sara Memmott, club librarian. “We recognize the patriotism, but we also want to keep the history alive.”
The Edmond Daughters of the American Revolution Samuel King Chapter, known as the DAR, put together a float with almost 40 members coming out to wave to those in the community.
“It was not an easy path to gain our independence,” Memmott said. “The Fourth of July … is to remember our ancestors.”
The group had their float with flags and patriotic apparel on at the 46th annual LibertyFest parade with nearly 50,000 spectators along the 1.5-mile route. The parade had almost 100 entries.
“We are no longer our grandmother’s DAR,” said Teresa Cales, vice regent for the Oklahoma DAR. “DAR means to me the celebration of patriotism, education and historic preservation.”
Several members of the club also spent their July Fourth helping feed veterans at the Oklahoma City Veterans Administration’s annual cookout.
“Patriotism is very important for our country and communities,” Cales said. “If you do not have anything invested in it, then you do not have any pride in it.”
The Edmond organization was founded in 1976 and has around 180 members now. Each one has traced part of their lineage back to someone who helped fight or serve in the American Revolutionary War.
Throughout the state there are around 45 clubs with more than 3,000 members, with the largest clubs in the Tulsa area, Cales said.
“It really gives me the opportunity to provide what is in my heart to others,” Cales said.
The group meets once every month to catch up on genealogy, hear speakers on cultural topics and they also volunteer throughout the year.
With a growing and active club, the group does many patriotic events throughout the year, including reading to students during Constitution Week at Orvis Risner and Northern Hills elementary schools.
The group also spends time volunteering at Project 66, a local food pantry in Edmond.
“They need to be a little interested in history, and a little aware of their ancestral line,” Memmott said.
However, for those not sure of their lineage, the DAR has individuals who can help with finding the connection.
The national DAR was founded on Oct. 11, 1890, as a nonpolitical lineagebased service organization, with around 180,000 women as members.
“We are all very patriotic and loyal to our country,” Memmott said. “That was the culmination of what they fought for, which was our country.”