WASHINGTON, DC — Nearly 5,000 members of the Daughters of the American Revolution convened this week in the nation’s capital for the 135th Continental Congress, the longstanding service organization’s annual meeting. The week-long convention includes business sessions, committee meetings, and social functions, and is topped off with formal evening ceremonies at which national DAR award recipients are honored.
Among them was Regent Melissa Wall of the General Henry William Harrington Chapter in Rockingham, NC. Wall served in the House Committee–Lost and Found. She also attended the Opening Night Ceremony, Units Overseas Luncheon and International Shopping Bazaar, as well as National Defense Night. Attending the Continental Congress was very meaningful for Wall.
“As a first‑time attendee at the 135th Continental Congress, I was swept away by the beauty of the pageantry and the power of our shared purpose,” she said. “I met incredible women from all over the nation, and the friendships formed in those few days felt like they’d been waiting to happen. It was truly a celebration of sisterhood.”
“Continental Congress is a time-honored tradition and opportunity for our members to come together to celebrate our country’s rich history, share ideas, and mark their past year in service. With our nation commemorating its 250th anniversary this year, DAR chapters have been sharing the history of those inspiring individuals who contributed to American independence,” said Ginnie Sebastian Storage, President General.
“Service to our country is at the heart of everything DAR does, and it is always inspiring to welcome thousands of Daughters to our historic headquarters in Washington, DC. Working together, we are dedicated to advancing historic preservation, education, and patriotism for generations to come,” said Storage.
At the Opening Night Ceremony on June 24, America’s 250th birthday was a prominent part of the festivities. The acclaimed PBS documentary “The American Revolution” by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein and David Schmidt received the DAR Media and Entertainment Award. Ken Burns was also recognized for his 50 years of historical filmmaking with the DAR Medal of Honor.
The National Defense Night Ceremony, celebrating our nation’s military personnel and veterans, featured a 25th anniversary commemoration of September 11, 2001. This event honored the organizations and individuals that work to preserve the memories of those lost, support families affected, and shape the future narrative of 9/11 around remembrance through service. As part of the commemoration, the President General’s Medallion was presented to the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, the New York Medical Examiner’s Office/World Trade Center DNA Identification Office, VOICES – Center for Resilience, and 9/11 Day.
The DAR Continental Congress is an annual gathering that has been held in Washington, D.C. since the organization’s founding in 1890. National, state and chapter leaders as well as other members from across the country and around the world meet at the DAR National Headquarters to report on the year’s work, honor outstanding award recipients, plan future initiatives and reconnect with friends.
About DAR
The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution was founded in 1890 to promote historic preservation, education and patriotism. Its members are descended from the Patriots who won American independence during the Revolutionary War. With more than 190,000 members in approximately 3,000 chapters worldwide, DAR is one of the world’s largest and most active service organizations. To learn more about the work of today’s DAR, visit www.DAR.org.