Members of Dorcheat-Bistineau Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution attended the Regional Patriotic Luncheon at East Ridge Country Club in Shreveport. This year, the luncheon was hosted by Dorcheat-Bistineau, Claiborne Parish, and Bon Chasse chapters. Northwood High School Junior ROTC served as Color Guard. The program was led by Dorcheat-Bistineau Chapter Regent Kathy Johnson. Our special guest was Olivia Stringham of North Caddo Magnet High School. She won the regional DAR Good Citizens Essay Contest, and her essay will be sent to the state level. Our speaker was LTC Byron Lafield who presented the history of Junior ROTC.
Members of our chapter attended the Northwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery’s burial service for 13 Unaccompanied Veterans. The Caddo Coroner’s office and Veterans Service Officers worked diligently for years to locate the families of these veterans, but none were found. The veterans were buried with military honors, and members of the Ark-La-Tex area were invited to attend because no veteran should be buried alone. Hundreds of people were in attendance at the outdoor ceremony on a rainy day.
Spencer Creech, son of our chapter registrar Donna Sutton, was elected to serve as a state officer in Louisiana Society Children of the American Revolution. This organization is for youth under the age of 22 who are descendants of patriots of the American Revolution. C.A.R. develops leaders, trains good citizens, and promotes love of the United States and its heritage.
We are excited to welcome Laura McFarland as a new member of our chapter! Her father is a new member of Galvez Chapter Sons of the American Revolution in Shreveport, and Laura joined DAR on his lineage. Their patriot ancestor is John McFarland who was born in Ireland around 1750. John married Nancy Menees in 1783 in Fort Nashborough, which would later become Nashville, Tennessee. He was paid for services rendered during the Revolution, and the payment is recorded in North Carolina Revolutionary Army Accounts. He died on 24 May 1824 in Wilson County, Tennessee.
Any woman 18 years or older, regardless of race, religion, or ethnic background, who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution (1775-1783) is eligible to join DAR. For more information, please visit dar.org and our Facebook page: Daughters of the American Revolution – Dorcheat-Bistineau Chapter.