131st Continental Congress of the National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR)

Regent Janet Guyett (center back) has announced the new executive board of the Martha Dandridge Washington Chapter, NSDAR. (l. to r.) First Vice Regent Carolyn Mitchell, Librarian Anne Word, Second Vice Regent Gail Brosk, Treasurer Dawn Mosteit, Corresponding Secretary Jane Busdeker, Recording Secretary Karen Bible, Historian Jamie Snyder, Chaplain Glenda Roach, and Registrar Karen McFarland.
Photo by Jeff Depew

After three years in an online format, the 131st Continental Congress of the National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR), met in person in DAR Constitution Hall, Washington, D.C., from June 29 through July 3. More than 4,000 women from 50 states, 12 overseas countries, and one US territory gathered to “Rise and Shine for America,” the theme of the 2019-2022 Administration of President General Denise Doring VanBuren.

Representing the Martha Dandridge Washington Chapter (MDW), NSDAR, as delegate was Linda Null Bonner, MDW Parliamentarian. She shared the depth of emotion that was stirred by the experience of singing “The Star-Spangled Banner”: “As the entire assembly sang the fourth verse, “O thus be it ever when freemen shall stand…,” I was filled with a deep sense of personal pride in being a direct descendent of a Patriot and making the commitment to support the goals of the DAR.” 

According to the NSDAR website, those goals include “promoting patriotism, preserving American history, and securing America’s future through better education for children.” Awards were presented for achievements in all three areas.

Among the featured speakers at DAR Congress were Carlos Del Toro, United States Secretary of the Navy; David Rubenstein, Philanthropist; David Ferriero, Tenth Archivist of the United States; and Robert J. Dalessandro, Deputy Secretary American Battle Monuments Commission.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley, was awarded the DAR Patriot Award for “extraordinary service to protect America’s freedom” and “heroic efforts and unfailing commitment to defending the United States of America.” In his acceptance speech, General Milley drew attention to the fact that those in the military are not the only ones who serve America and protect the U.S. Constitution and our freedom. People all across America do that, including the Gold Star Mothers and Gold Star Families and the members of the DAR. Moreover, he recognized the last living Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient from World War II, U.S. Marine Corporal Hershel Woodrow “Woody” Williams, who was to have been present at DAR Congress. However, he passed away on June 29, 2022. Corporal Williams had earned the medal at the age of 21 for “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty” on Iwo Jima.

On the final day of Congress, the new Pamela Edwards Rouse Wright Administration was presented. Wright was elected and installed as the National Society’s 46th President General and shared the theme for her three-year administration, “Celebrate Stars & Stripes Forever (Rejoice in Our DAR Ties of Service and Friendship!)”

June marked the initiation of new administrations at the national level, President General Wright; state level, Tennessee State Regent Emily Robinson; and chapter level, Martha Dandridge Washington Chapter Regent Janet Guyett.

The new officers of the MDW Chapter NSDAR are as follows: Regent Guyett, First Vice Regent Carolyn Mitchell, Second Vice Regent Gail Brosk, Chaplain Glenda Roach, Recording Secretary Karen Bible, Corresponding Secretary Jane Busdeker, Treasurer Dawn Mosteit, Registrar Karen McFarland, Historian Jamie Snyder, Librarian Anne Word, and Parliamentarian Null Bonner.

For information about the DAR, contact Registrar McFarland at (865) 258-8670 or Regent Guyett at (865) 712-8782.

Linda Null Bonner, MDW delegate to the 131st NSDAR Continental Congress, stands next to a sculpture by David Turner, titled “A Legacy of Love for Children,” which depicts an eagle sheltering her eaglets under her wing.

Photo by Jane Busdeker

Linda Null Bonner will serve as Parliamentarian in the 2022-2025 Administration of MDW Regent Janet Guyett. The cords worn by Null Bonner indicate completion of the Members Course (red), New Horizons Course (navy blue), and Committee Leaders Course (red, white, and blue).