Smith-McMillan DAR Chapter Celebrates New Members, 2026-2028 Officers Installed

The Smith-McMillan Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution held its final business meeting of the year at 10 a.m. at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church Hall in Round Top. A Reception and morning Kolaches and beverages were provided by hostesses Gina Minzenmeyer and Kathy Schatte, and the meeting was called to order at 10:20 a.m. by Regent Carolyn Caflisch.

The DAR Ritual’s Opening Prayers were led by Regent Carolyn Caflisch and Chaplain, Sherry Hebert with Lois Wink leading the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag, Marie Watts leading the American’s Creed and Preamble, Jo Ann Vasina leading the Pledge to the Texas Flag, and Sherry Hebert accompanying the National Anthem on the violin.

Regent Caflisch welcomed members and guests and introduced our State Historian, Karen McCloskey who, during her time as Regent of the San Antonio de Bexar Chapter, led initiatives to recognize local landmarks and preserved histories, including presenting the prestigious DAR National Historic Preservation Medal. In the absence of State Regent Susan Johnston who had just had a death in the family, State Historian Karen McCloskey shared the State Regent’s Message to the Chapter.

An excerpt: “Two hundred and fifty years ago this summer, fiftysix men met in a sweltering “Philadelphia Hall and signed their names to a document. Their signatures could have led to their deaths. The document was the Declaration of Independence. By signing, they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor to the idea “that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”

“They were pledging it for themselves. They were also pledging it for everyone who would come after. And they did not yet know whose lives would actually be required to keep it.

“We are here today for the ones who made that sacrifice.

“The farm boy from Massachusetts who fell at Saratoga. The drummer at Antietam who hadn’t grown tall enough to shave. The lieutenant in the Argonne forest. The sailor at Pearl Harbor who was writing a letter home when the first bomb hit. The Marine at Chosin Reservoir in twentybelow. The medic in the Mekong Delta. The kid from a Texas high school who came back from Fallujah under a folded flag.

“That promise the founders signed — lives, fortunes, sacred honor — those were words on paper until somebody made them true. And every generation since, someone has. Quietly. Without expecting any of us to remember their name.

“We owe them a country worth the price they paid. Not a perfect one. They never asked for perfect. A country still trying. A country where the argument is loud and the door stays open, and the flag means something because of what’s underneath it.

“Two hundred and fifty years is a long time for a promise.

“It has remained true because people kept fighting and dying to keep it.

“So today we stand here, and we are quiet for a moment. Soon, we go back to our lives, but before we do, let us pledge to keep the promise for which they sacrificed their all — by raising our children right, by telling the truth to our neighbors, by voting like it matters, and by treating one another as if the country is worth saving. Because it is.

“May we always remember, ‘Our flag does not fly because the wind moves it. It flies with the last breath of each soldier who died protecting it.’” Regent Caflisch, recognizing the five candidates for membership and two transfers to the Smith-McMillan Chapter stated, “You are welcomed as a member of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution and the Chapter. Your eligibility for membership has been certified by the National Society by verification of proven lineal descent from an ancestor who gave aid to American Colonists during the American Revolution.”

Chaplain Sherry Hebert delivered the Oath of Membership to new members: Jamie Moreau, Christine Miller, Susannah Mikulin, Kimberly Adams, Jodi Adams, and two transfers—Julia Greer Stroup and Gayle Sword. Jackie Head and Regent Caflisch presented each a long-stemmed Yellow Rose and an 8 x 5-inch Yearbook 3-ring notebook binder of navy blue bearing the full NSDAR title and Insignia, and containing inserts and the current membership and bylaws.

Regent Caflisch introduced the new Officers for the 2026-2028 term: Regent, Gina Minzenmeyer; Vice Regent, Kathy Schatte; Chaplain, Sherry Hebert; Registrar: Carolyn Caflisch; Recording Secretary: Cathleen Tutt; Corresponding Secretary, Laurie Patterson; Treasurer, Jackie Head, Historian, Kyla Crumbly (not in attendance), and Librarian, Kim Joost.

A brief business meeting followed with the approval of the April 18 Minutes and Treasury Report. Chapter member, Marie Watts offered her new book to be published in the Fall for advanced review by our Book Club – “The Refugees: Family Threads.” Regent Carolyn Caflisch, assisted by Gina Minzenmeyer, handed out many State Level Awards of Recognition to Committee Chairs.

Regent Caflisch presented wrapped thank-you gifts of wooden cutting boards personalized with the Chapter’s “America 250” logo to outgoing Officers Kathy Schatte, Gina Minzenmeyer, Sherry Hebert, Jackie Head, Juli Mc-Croskey, Laurie Patterson, and Kim Joost and thanked them for all their help and work during the past two years. She then presented the Gavel and Regent’s Pin to Regent-Elect, Gina Minzenmeyer, gave announcements, thanked hostesses Gina Minzenmeyer and Kathy Schatte, and adjourned the meeting after the Benediction was given by Chaplain Hebert.