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

Veteran's Day Celebrations

 Florissant Veteran's Day Parade

Alexander McNair Society was invited to join Reverend John Clark DAR on their float in Florissant's Veteran's Day parade.

Attendees: 1 member (1 peewee), and 2 seniors

 St. Louis-Jefferson DAR's Veteran's Day Memorial

Alexander McNair Society was invited to join St. Louis-Jefferson DAR's annual Veteran's Day Memorial Service at Bellefountaine Cememtery. Marcus represented the state society while placing a wreath during the ceremony.

Attendees: 4 members (2 peewees), and 2 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

February Meeting: Mountain Schools Program

Mountain Schools Virtual Tour

Alexander McNair members and seniors learned about the Mountain Schools through a Google Slideshow. The 5 mountain schools are sponsored by the DAR and are: Berry College, Crossnore School, Hillside School, Hindman Settlement School, and Kate Duncan Smith DAR School. 

Members were able to learn about some of the special programs at the schools and a fun fact about each school. (Ex. Berry College has an eagle cam!) They were then able to compare and contrast the schools, using a Venn Diagram and dry erase boards. Notes on memorable facts were added to the Slides.

Finally, the members voted that each member in attendance could send $10 to the school of their choice. The society sent $30 to Berry College, $10 to Crossnore School,  $10 to Hillside School, and $10 to Kate Duncan Smith DAR School.

The full public version of the presentation (names edited out) is viewable here: Alexander McNair Society Mountain Schools Presentation

 Attendees: 6 members (5 pee wees) and 4 seniors

Veteran's Day Service

 St. Louis-Jefferson Chapter DAR Veteran's Day Service

Alexander McNair members attended the Veteran's Day Memorial Service and helped place a wreath at this annual event. 

Attendees: 6 members (5 pee wees), 4 seniors

Sappington Commemorative Event

Sappington Commemorative Event

Attendees: 4 members (3 peewees), 2 seniors

Members were invited by the Sappington DAR to join a joint commemorative event with the Sappington DAR and Spirit of St. Louis SAR. Members helped guide guests to their seats, passed out programs, and helped participate in the wreath laying ceremony. There are three revolutionary ancestors buried at Sappington Cemetery. This event honored each of them. One DAR, SAR, and C.A.R. participated as an honor guard to assist a descendant in placing a wreath at their ancestor's grave.

Contest Connections:

C.A.R./DAR/SAR/S.R. Relations
Patriotic Education Program - Foster patriotic education and commemorative events in your community.
Veteran's Program - Learning about the revolutionary ancestors buried at Sappington Cemetery.

Memorial Day Services

Missouri DAR Coldwater Cemetery Memorial Day Services

Attendees: 6 members (4 peewees), 6 seniors

Members participated in the Memorial Day services with the DAR. They helped lay roses at the graves of DAR members. One member helped with the flag ceremony with his Boy Scout troop.

Contest Connections:
C.A.R./DAR/SAR/S.R. Relations
Patriotic Education Program - Foster patriotic education and commemorative events in your community
Veteran's Program - Listening to the veteran keynote speaker.

Battle of Fort San Carlos Commemorative Event

Battle of Fort San Carlos Commemorative Event

Attendance: 7 members (3 peewees), 6 seniors, 1 senior guests

Members attended this commemorative event along with DAR and SAR members. C.A.R. members led the Pledge of Allegiance. Afterwards, the peewees visited the Missouri History Museum Children's Treehouse exhibit to learn more about Missouri History.

Contest Connections:
C.A.R./DAR/SAR/SR Relations - Working together with DAR/SAR members and leading the Pledge of Allegiance
Patriotic Education - Foster patriotic education and commemorative events in your community.
Veteran's - Learning about the only Revolutionary War battle in the St. Louis area.

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.

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."

Veteran's Day Program

Members attended the Veteran's Day Program at Jefferson Barracks.

Older members helped to pass out programs to attendees. They participated in a wreath-laying and helped pass out special gifts to Veterans in attendance. They also helped with refreshments after the program.

After the services, the Senior Society President explained to younger members about service dogs. They learned about different types of service animals and how to act around them. They also discussed how service animals help veterans. Members were able to color pictures that had more information for them to talk about at home with their families.