May Meeting: Memorial Day Service & Picnic

  Memorial Day Service & Society Picnic

National President's Program, Veterans, & C.A.R./DAR/SAR/S.R. Relations Programs

Alexander McNair members participated in the State DAR Memorial Day ceremony at Coldwater Cemetery. While there members also took the opportunity to lay flowers on the veterans' graves.

Attendance: 3 members, 6 seniors

Afterwards, the group moved to one member family's home for a BBQ. After enjoying good food and good fellowship, Jojo led the younger members in learning First Aid skills. We began talking about the National Theme: Courage, Service, Honor. And everyone made First Aid kits.

Teddy said: "My favorite part was figuring out that it is possible to blow up gloves like balloons."

Lucy said: " My favorite part was getting ketchup on you and curing the patient."

Attendance: 5 members, 7 seniors

October Meeting

 Commemorating Missouri's 200th Anniversary & Learning about the American Revolution

American Heritage, American History, & Patriotic Education Programs

Alexander McNair Society held their October business meeting on Saturday, October 30th at Missouri's First State Capitol in St. Charles, MO. During their program, members and seniors learned and discussed Missouri's 200th Anniversary and the 238th Anniversary of the end of  the American Revolution.

Life during the American Revolution

Before the meeting, members were encouraged to read the book I Survived the American Revolution, 1776 by Lauren Tarshis. Families were able to read the book together and discuss the topic at an age-appropriate level for their members.

At the meeting, members and seniors were able to discuss the American Revolution and what life would have been like for a child during that time period. They were able to add the dates of the American Revolution to their timeline. 

Missouri Statehood - 200th Anniversary

Next members and seniors learned about Missouri's path to statehood by taking a guided tour of Missouri's First State Capitol. Members were excited to find information about the society's namesake, Alexander McNair, the first governor of Missouri. They got to learn about the two people running for governor and then pick who they would have voted for.

 

Patriotic Education - Military Uniforms throughout the years

Members were able to see examples of military uniforms from the American Revolution and compare them to the military uniforms from the past with a timeline of military uniforms. They discussed reasons why uniforms would look the way they did during that time period.

Attendees: 6 members (4 peewees), 4 seniors.

SAR Plaque Dedication

C.A.R./DAR/SAR/S.R. Relations & Veteran's Programs

Members were invited to join the SAR for a plaque dedication at Fee Fee Cemetery. The plaque commemorated 5 revolutionary ancestors who were buried at the cemetery. The event was hosted by Spirit of St. Louis SAR and included members of the SAR, DAR, C.A.R., and local government.

Marcus represented the M.S.S.C.A.R. to present a wreath and lead a prayer.

Jojo represented the Alexander McNair Society by carrying the C.A.R. flag with the Missouri SAR color guard.

Attendees: 6 members (4 peewees), 4 seniors

September Meeting

Patriot's Day & Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

American Heritage, American History, & Patriotic Education Programs

Alexander McNair Society held their September business meeting on Sunday, September 12th. During their program, members and seniors learned and discussed the September 11th Attacks and the History of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Patriot's Day - 20th Anniversary of the September 11th Attacks

Before the meeting, members were encouraged to read the book I Survived the Attacks of September 11, 2001 by Lauren Tarshis. Families were able to read the book together and discuss the topic at an age-appropriate level for their members.

Families also had an opportunity to attend 9/11 Commemorative events the day before, including a memorial at Clayton City Hall, Flags of Valor at Art Hill, and an evening memorial at the Florissant VFW.

At the meeting, members and seniors were able to discuss the 9/11 attacks. Seniors explained where they were that day and some of the feelings they went through. Two of our seniors were C.A.R. members at the time. One explained how they had been on a family vacation in Boston and shared their experiences of plans having to change and how people looked at them as tourists that week. Another explained what it was like to be away at college and about a project she started to send cards to C.A.R. members in New York City. Members had questions about why terrorists would do this and talked about how people must have felt that day.

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier - 100th Anniversary

Next, members and seniors learned about the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and its upcoming 100th anniversary. A senior read the book Twenty-One Steps by Jeff Gottesfeld to the members. Afterwards, members and seniors discussed why we have the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and how it came to be.

Before the meeting, one family visited the site of a memorial for Michael Blaisse, the Unknown Soldier from the Vietnam War. His remains were identified in 1998 and he was brought home to Florissant, MO and is now buried at Jefferson Barracks in St. Louis.

Patriotic Education - Military Uniforms throughout the years

Members were able to see examples of military uniforms from the War on Terror and compare them to the military uniforms from the past with a timeline of military uniforms. They discussed reasons why uniforms would change over the years and what was special about these uniforms.

Finally, members were able to see the timeline that the society is making to show different events throughout American History. They were able to identify several events that we've discussed so far this year: the Lewis & Clark Expedition, Missouri Statehood, World War I, September 11th, and today with the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Finally, members participated in the C.A.R. song, had a snack, and closed the meeting.

Attendees: 6 members (4 peewees), 4 seniors.

Memorial Day Service

Memorial Day Service at Coldwater Cemetery

Veterans & C.A.R./DAR/SAR/S.R. Relations Programs

Members and seniors attended the MSSDAR Memorial Day Service. The keynote speaker was a veteran, speaking of her time in war and returning home. Members helped place roses at the graves of Missouri Daughters during the service. 

Alexander McNair member, Marcus, is currently the State President of M.S.S.C.A.R. and had the honor of placing a wreath during the service.

Attendees: 3 members (2 peewees), 7 seniors

November: Veteran's Day Program

Members at Veteran's Day Memorial Service

Members attended a fully packed day of learning about Veteran's day at Jefferson Barracks Park and Cemetery. There were 6 members, 1 prospective member, and 7 seniors in attendance.

Member explaining the Zimmerman Telegram

First, members attended the "Over Here: World War I from Jefferson Barracks, St. Louis and Missouri" exhibit at the Old Ordnance Room at Jefferson Barracks Park. There, they learned about the Zimmerman Telegram and how it started World War I. The older members tried to explain it to us on video (see above and below).

Members explaining the Zimmerman Telegram

Second, member attended a wreath laying ceremony sponsored by the St. Louis-Jefferson Chapter DAR. Members helped pass out goodie bags to veterans.

Members gave goodie bags to veterans.

Third, members placed a wreath at the World War I memorial, to honor those who fought in the war they learned about earlier in the day.

Members placed wreaths at the WWI memorial.

June Field Trip: Scott Air Show

Several members and a senior at Scott Air Show

Members were able to see various military planes performing at the Scott Air Show. They were able to watch the Tora, Tora, Tora! show together, which recreates the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

There were 5 current members in attendance, plus two prospective members. There were also 4 seniors and 1 adult guest. Members were excited to meet our newest prospective member, who was less than a month old (not pictured due to young age).

May Field Trip 2: Memorial Day Service

Members place roses at the graves of DAR members.

Members participated in an annual Memorial Day Service for the Missouri Daughters of the American Revolution. Alexander McNair Society members joined other local C.A.R. societies in placing roses at the graves of DAR members. The Missouri State Society C.A.R. also placed a wreath.

Members also learned about the history of Memorial Day from the keynote speaker at the event.

Four members and four seniors were in attendance at the event.

May Field Trip 1: Battle of Fort San Carlos Commemoration

Alexander McNair members helped
lead the Pledge of Allegiance.

Alexander McNair Society joined other local C.A.R. societies to participate in this commemorative event. There were 4 members and 4 seniors in attendance from the Alexander McNair Society.

While there, they learned about the history of the battle and about the renovations at the Arch. Afterwards, members explored the Children's Treehouse exhibit to learn more about St. Louis and Missouri history. 

The Society President summarized the battle:

"The Americans fought even though they were out-manned. They kept on fighting no matter what. To help them win the battle, they built a giant tower to have a better vantage point and also a better area for the cannons. They also dug a trench around a wall around the city so they could fire at the British without worrying as much about being hit."