Photo courtesy of Botetourt DAR
The Botetourt County Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution held their monthly, meeting on Saturday, March 16, in the Blue Ridge Library.
Members gathered to hear SSG Seyward McKinney tell her story of her time in the service and her journey after returning home. Seyward is a resident of Salem and an Army veteran who served in Iraq as an operating room tech. After returning to the United States, she suffered a medical event that caused her to need a service dog. Knight, her new dog, accompanied her to the meeting and she demonstrated how he helps her.
She is a 10-year member of the Fort Lewis DAR Chapter and has served as a page at many DAR conferences and events. Seyward currently serves as the VADAR State Vice Chair and the Fort Lewis Chapter Chair of Service for Veterans Committees.
Seyward told members how Project Healing Waters has been a wonderful way for her to use fly fishing as a way of increasing her mobility while enjoying the outdoors. Members made a donation to Project Healing Waters/Roanoke-New River Valley in her honor.
The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is a women’s service, organization whose members can trace their lineage to an individual who contributed to securing, American independence during the Revolutionary War. DAR chapters participate in projects to, promote historic preservation, education, and patriotism. Over one million members have joined the organization since its founding in 1890. If you are interested or have questions about joining the chapter, contact Membership Chair Emily Talbot-Guillote via email at eptg1019@gmail.com or Registrar JoElla John, jjohnregistrar@gmail.com.
America 250 Patriots marker unveiling May 18
The Botetourt Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution will unveil the America 250 Patriots marker Saturday, May 18, at the Botetourt Museum of History & Culture located at 26 East Main Street in Fincastle. The organization’s goal is to place at least one marker in every state in advance of the nation’s 250th anniversary in an effort to create a coast-to-coast network of markers.
Del. Terry Austin will be the keynote speaker to commemorate the dedication with remarks by Virginia State Regent Lauire Parker Nesbitt. The unveiling will take place at 3 p.m.
~ Botetourt County DAR
