Martha Dandridge Washington Chapter (MDW), National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR), Officers for 2021-2022

MDW NSDAR officers for the 2021-2022 service year include (l to r sitting) Registrar Karen McFarland, Treasurer Wendy Randolph; (l to r standing) First Vice Regent Janet Guyett, Chaplain Elizabeth Finchum, Recording Secretary Karen Bible, Regent Jane Chambers, Corresponding Secretary Jane Busdeker, Historian Jamie Snyder, Librarian Katie Schmidt, and Parliamentarian Ellie Betts. The photo was taken in the Revolutionary War Cemetery in Dandridge. (Not present for the photo: Second Vice Regent Jill Evans) – Photo by J. Depew Photography

The Martha Dandridge Washington Chapter (MDW), National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR), officers for 2021-2022 are Regent Jane Chambers, First Vice Regent Janet Guyett, Second Vice Regent Jill Evans, Chaplain Elizabeth Finchum, Recording Secretary Karen Bible, Corresponding Secretary Jane Busdeker, Treasurer Wendy Randolph, Registrar Karen McFarland, Historian Jamie Snyder, Librarian Katie Schmidt, and Parliamentarian Ellie Betts.

In the photo, the officers are dressed in red, white, and/or blue in honor of The 100th Anniversary of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to be commemorated at Arlington Cemetery on November 21, 2021. The white roses recall the story related by Robert B. Martin, Jr., President of the American Rose Society 2018-2021, in “The Rose of the Unknown Soldier.”

On October 22, 1921, four unknown service men were exhumed from four World War I American battlefield cemeteries in France and taken the following day to the city hall in Chalons-en-Champagne, France, where they were draped with American Flags. U.S. Army Sergeant Edward F. Younger, who had been selected as one of the pallbearers, was handed a bouquet of white roses and ordered: ‘You will take these flowers, proceed to the chapel, and place the bouquet on one of the four caskets resting there. The one you select will be the Unknown Soldier.’

After kneeling in prayer, Sergeant Younger stood and circled the caskets three times, touching each casket. He then saluted and placed the flowers on the second casket to his right. The roses remained on the coffin throughout the journey home and were buried with the unknown soldier at Arlington National Cemetery along with some soil taken from France.

Later recalling the reason for his selection of the casket, Sergeant Younger said: “It was as though something had pulled me. Something seemed to stop me each time I passed the coffin. As I moved toward it, the mysterious pull grew irresistible; I could not have turned back now had I tried…. A voice seemed to say, ‘This is a pal of yours….’ Something seemed to say ‘Pick this one.’”

Then he placed the white roses on that casket.

After the photograph of the MDW Chapter officers was taken, the beautiful bouquet of perfect white roses in the photo was presented to Imogene Felknor, the oldest member of the MDW chapter. The photo was taken in the Revolutionary War Graveyard in Dandridge.

The cords with which the ladies are adorned are of three colors. Gold is presented to those who have completed the Visions Course, a beta course for the current New Horizons Course. Red is awarded to those who have graduated from the previous New Members Course or the current Members Course. Finally, blue is bestowed on graduates of the New Horizons Course.

The courses employ online self-directed learning and DAR activities to help members to learn more about the organization and ways to become active and engaged. The Members Course explores “the many aspects of the DAR and what it means to be a Daughter,” while the New Horizons Course builds confidence and leadership skills in aspiring and current DAR leaders.

The MDW Chapter has been recognized for outstanding participation in the two courses. For the year 2020 at state level, MDW received the 1st Place Award for Most New Horizons Couse Completions.

For information about the DAR, contact Registrar Karen McFarland at (865) 258-8670 or Regent Jane Chambers at (865) 591-3857.