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Akansa Chapter Activities |
JANUARY 2008Akansa traveled to Jonesboro, Arkansas, to attend End of Tour Awards Ceremonies for the 875th Engineer Battalion of the Arkansas Army National Guard which recently returned from duty in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Company A, B, C, & D conducted individual recognition ceremonies in the morning, awarding Commendation, Bronze Star, and Purple Heart Medals to honor the sacrifice made by these men and women. A Change of Command Ceremony followed in the afternoon when command responsibilities were passed from Col. Patricia Anslow to Maj. Corey Seats.
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The Freedom Salute Ceremony was conducted to recognize the entire 875th Engineer Battalion, awarding every returning soldier a package of memorabilia including an encased & folded American Flag; a sequentially numbered commemorative coin; a “Defender of Freedom“ certificate; and a lapel insignia. 
Further commemorating the festivities and acknowledging the efforts of the soldiers, the spouses received a lapel insignia, and the children received a ’future Soldier Footlocker Kit designed to entertain and educate. Most importantly each soldier recognized one center of influence (COI) by giving a large medallion with ribbon for their outstanding support while the soldier was away.
This year, the Chapter brought in over 40 Chapter awards and 6 individuals received recognition for activities in American History, DAR Schools, Good Citizens, Service for Veterans, Project Patriot, Literacy, National Defense, Flag of the USA, Public Relations, and Friends of the Library. Akansa Daughters holding state offices are Carol Sue Williams-State Treasurer; Sheila Beatty-Literacy Promotion Chair; Gloria Reid-Genealogical Records Chair; Betty Korbus-Arkansas DAR News; Susan Veal-Honorary State Regent, Flag of the United States of America, and Arkansas DAR Historical Markers; and Mary Reid Warner-State Registrar.
A joint flag program was presented by Akansa Chapter and John Percifull Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) to children in Kevin Divine’s Mountain Pine Headstart Program. Appropriately clad in red, white & blue flag attire, Mildred Buesing, Akansa’s own “Flag Lady”, presented a program about the makeup of the stars and stripes, and introduced them to the father of our country, George Washington. After counting the 13 stripes, the children were shown how to cut a perfect star.
Also in March 2008, Akansa Chapter assisted Glen Rose Schools in a musical tribute to the 39th Infantry Brigade of the Arkansas Army National Guard which recently deployed to Iraq. Over 170 students attended. Sheila Beatty and Sylvia Matthews, Akansa Chapter Project Patriot Co-Chairs, presented Captain Christopher Heathscott-Public Affairs Officer for the Arkansas Army National Guard, with a 39th Mail Bag filled with over 800 letters and artworks from Glen Rose students to be sent along to the troops. The students also collected beanie babies to be sent to the troops for distribution to Iraq children. After the program, the school staff hosted a luncheon for the DAR and the VFW guests in appreciation for their assistance.
The Observance was sponsored by the Arkansas Society Sons of the American Revolution (ARSSAR) at the Arkansas Post State Park Site on the banks of the swollen Arkansas River. Colors were posted by the ARSSAR Color Guard, and the crowd of over 200 was welcomed by Superintendent of the Arkansas Post National Memorial. 
Several Societies and Chapters of the SAR, DAR, and CAR from all across Arkansas, as well as the States of Kentucky, Missouri, Louisiana, Texas, Tennessee, and Virginia, concluded the ceremony with the placing of memorial wreaths
Also in April, soldiers of Alpha Company, 94th Combat Support Hospital, 807th Medical Command were honored with a ceremony at the Capt. Maurice L. Britt Reserve Center at Camp Robinson in North Little Rock prior to being mobilized for Iraq. A reception followed. It was the first time the Soldier Squad had attended a Reserve deployment and had never witnessed a ceremony. 
Her father was William McIntosh who served with B. G. Marion, known as the Swamp Fox. 
In 1912 the National Society DAR honored 'real daughters' at the second Arkansas State Conference by presenting them with gold spoons. NSDAR also arranged a small pension for Sarah and the Pine Bluff Chapter gave her $5.00 yearly until her death in 1916. Sarah was a member of the DAR from January 1909 to June 1916.
These soldiers, as well as many others, have volunteered to distribute packages and letters to other soldiers in their unit who do not receive mail through the Any Soldier program. All of the items mailed were donations from Akansa members. Any Soldier Inc. was born in August 2003 as a simple family effort to help the soldiers in one Army unit. Due to overwhelming requests, the Any Soldier® effort was expanded to include any member of the Armed Forces in harms way. Soldiers’ addresses may be obtained by accessing the http://www.anysoldier.com web site.
Despite the late hour, attendance included the Akansa Soldier Squad, media personnel, Patriot Guard, Operation Homefront, Guardian Angels, American Legion, and 300 family and friends of the returning troops. Also on hand was Maj. Gen. William Wofford, the Adjutant General, and other high ranking members of the Arkansas National Guard. Sheila Beatty and Sylvia Matthews, Co-Chairs for Akansa’s Project Patriot, and Linda Thomas distributed over 250 U.S. Flags to waiting family and friends.
of Hot Springs. Akansa Daughters Sheila Beatty served as District Treasurer, Betty Korbus and Susan Veal served on the committee to revise the Bylaws, and Carol Sue Williams is State Treasurer.
During the hectic July 4th week, amidst the hustle and bustle of new plantings and orange clad gardeners, Akansa brought all activity to a stop to conduct a Flag Dedication Ceremony at the newly installed 20-ft. flag pole at the Coronado Fire Station in Hot Springs Village. Akansa was honored to dedicate the new flag and pole, and wishes to thank all these brave firefighters who are always ready to answer the call for Village residents.
Participants signed their names on parchment scrolls just as the original signers did. Akansa obtained Constitution Week Proclamations from the Hot Springs Mayor, Hot Springs Village POA President, and Arkansas’ Governor Mike Beebe.
I will support and defend the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God.” The new U.S. citizens, hailing from Cambodia, Croatia, El Salvador, India, Mexico, Panama, Philippines, Romania, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden and the Ukraine, took the oath at Arlington Lawn in Hot Springs during Constitution Week.
While the morning began with heavy downpours, the riders left from War Memorial Stadium in a misting rain, winding their way through Little Rock, across the Big Dam Bridge, through Camp Robinson, and ending at the William J. Clinton Presidential Library in Little Rock under bright sunshine. The Akansa daughters intersected the riders at several points along the route, passing out flags, and cheering on more than 30 riders, which included Arkansas Guard Soldiers and Airmen, civilians, and 12 combat-wounded veterans. A ceremony and lunch on the lawn followed the ride.
Wounded Warrior Project is a non-profit organization and it’s mission is to “raise the awareness and enlist the public’s aid for the needs of severely injured service men and women, to help severely injured service members to aid and assist each other, and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs.”
At the concluding ceremonies, Akansa presented the Women in American History Award to 28 yr old 1st Lt. Melissa Stockwell, a retired U.S. veteran who lost her leg in the explosion of an IED while leading a convoy through the streets of Baghdad. Melissa represented the U.S. in swimming in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Bejing.
Since Reading is the most important skill and the starting point for all economic and social opportunities, and as a commitment to improve literacy and the quality of life in the Hot Springs Area, Akansa has presented dictionaries for the past six years as a gift to the students to use at home or at school for years to come.
The In February, students at Mountain Pine joined Akansa Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) to wish members of the company a very happy Valentine’s Day. Under the direction of art teacher Cheryl Wright and G/T Coordinator Betty Fortner, almost every student from Kindergarten to 6th grade participated in designing and constructing 271 cards, all materials being paid for by the K-Kids, a 5th-6th grade service organization. Akansa members filled packets with handwritten cards, candy and pocket flags for each soldier.
DeSoto Trail President Larry Averill presented a program, appropriately dressed as an American Colonial Patriot, on Washington’s Crossing the Delaware: The Attack that Saved the Revolution. Following the presentation and luncheon, Sheila Beatty was surprised with the presentation of the SAR Silver Good Citizenship Medal by Col. Duane Vandenberg, U.S. Air Force, Ret. and past President of the Arkansas State Society of the SAR. The Silver Good Citizenship Medal is the highest award an SAR Chapter can present to an individual at the State level for service and patriotism. Beatty was recognized for outstanding public service, good citizenship and patriotism, ideals that the SAR strives to promote. An Honorary Akansa Regent, she currently serves as Arkansas State DAR Project Patriot Chair and Akansa Chapter Project Patriot Chair.
Daughters began the month at the Old State House Holiday Open House. Hosted by ASDAR and in the tradition of the DAR spirit of hospitality, over 200 dozen cookies baked by daughters from all over Arkansas, along with gallons of punch, were served to hundreds of visitors taking part in the annual Yuletide festivities. Photos show Susan Veal talking with visitors while Linda Thomas visits with young lady and father.
