Monitor Photo/Ashlee Sawyer
The National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution past regents gather to celebrate 40 years at the Cedar Creek Country Club Oct. 16. Sarah Jungman (from left), Susan Martz-Cothran, Carol Dudley Dwinnell, Carole Ruska and Suzanne Fife pose for a picture after the luncheon.  

Monitor Photo/Ashlee Sawyer
Texas State Regent Susan Johnston is the guest speaker during the NSDAR 40th anniversary luncheon held at Cedar Creek Country Club Oct. 16. 

Monitor Photo/Ashlee Sawyer
DAR member, Sarah Jungman addresses members in front of a beautiful quilt she made and donated to DAR for a fund raiser.  

Monitor Photo/Ashlee Sawyer
Geraldine Carson shares memories of the beginning of the Sarah Maples chapter of the DAR. 

Monitor Photo/Ashlee Sawyer
Regent Ramona Southerland (from left) presents Carol Dudley Dwinnell with a certificate honoring her 35 years in the DAR. 

Monitor Photo/Ashlee Sawyer
The Daughters of the American Revolution, Sarah Maples Chapter serves a delicious cake to celebrate the 40th Anniversary. 

CEDAR CREEK LAKE—The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Sarah Maples Chapter, gathered Oct. 16 at Cedar Creek Country Club to celebrate the 40th Anniversary. Regent Ramona Southerland opened the meeting with greetings and introductions to guests, meeting rituals and lunch blessing. 
Vice Regent Sarah Jungman introduced the guest speaker of the event, Texas State Regent Susan Johnston. Jungman gave a brief history of Johnston’s DAR beginnings. “Susan Johnston was invited by a friend to visit the Fort Graham chapter of DAR in Whitney. To say she was immediately hooked on DAR is an understatement. She became a member October 2010 and has served in various offices and committees at state and national level,” stated Jungman. Jungman also explained that Johnston also serves as National Chair of the Lineage Research Committee and honored to serve as the Texas State Regent 2024-2027. 
“I am delighted to be here on your 40th anniversary. You were formed in 1984, which was a really momentous year for American women.  Barbara Walters hosted a debate between Presidential Candidates Ronald Reagan and Walter Mondale, Kathryn Sullivan was the first American woman to complete a spacewalk, Beverly Burns was the first American woman to serve as a Captain worldwide aboard a Boeing 747 jet. 
The Democratic party nominated Geraldine Ferraro as its Vice-Presidential Candidate and that was the first major political party to do so, and the citizens of Rhode Island elected Arlene Violet the Attorney General of that state the first American woman to serve in that position, but the most important thing that happened and the reason we are here today is that the Sarah Maples Chapter was organized on Oct. 9, 1984,” explained Johnston. Johnston went on to explain that there were 25 organizing members of the Sarah Maples Chapter with two members that go back nearly that far: Geraldine Carson and Carol Dudley Dwinnell. The chapter name, Sarah Maples honors patriot ancestor of seven of the organizing members. “Sarah provided food to North Carolina troops and her contribution of two pounds five shillings would be the equivalent to today’s currency of $400,” stated Johnston. 
Johnston explained that looking back in the notes, that members have hosted many guests, offering varied and enriching programs. “Through the years Sarah Maples members restored historical markers, honored veterans, supported Indian schools, essay contests, American History teacher awards, and scholarships. Truly the Sarah Maples chapter has made a large and very positive difference in your community, and I thank you for that. So our state society recognizes Sarah Maples chapter for its longevity, its dynamism, and determination to honor God, home and country,” concluded Johnston. 
A history of the chapter was shared with members as well as memories of members which were opened to the floor. A closing prayer was also conducted to conclude the meeting.