Local DAR Chapter Supports Our Veterans
Writer / Matt Keating
Photography Provided
June Beck, regent for the General James Cox Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) in Kokomo, says members of the organization have done an outstanding job of helping people.
She says their objective since the organization was formed has been to help support veterans in Kokomo. The chapter members have been doing thoughtful work for local veterans to help them enjoy their lives.
“Twice a year we furnish coffee and all the adjoining necessities with the coffee,” Beck says. “Each Christmas, and at various holidays during the year, we make or buy gifts for each veteran.”
The veterans have been very enthusiastic about the thoughtful and kind gifts.
Beck believes it’s a simple thing to do for people who have done so much to help their country through the years.
“We try to brighten their days by remembering each person,” Beck says.
The chapter also helps schools. “We pass a small school bus at each of our meetings, and we get people to donate money to DAR schools around the country,” Beck says. “When floods washed out the Hindman School for the dyslexic youth, we helped our members determine their urgent needs and we helped them.”
The chapter members thoroughly enjoy helping kids.
“We also help support our Children of the American Revolution,” Beck says. “It is a budget account each year for children to support the veterans, the American flag and patriotism.”
Beck says the organization encourages respect for the American flag, and the correct display of the flag. The chapter conducts a DAR American History Essay Contest and Good Citizen Scholarship Contest, plants trees, places historical markers, promotes literacy and honors community leaders, among other positive work in the community.
The chapter has also helped out veterans living at military bases.
“We recently learned that there is a facility at Grissom Air Reserve Base,” Beck says. “We are planning to hand out cards thanking each vet for their service on Veterans Day this November.”
Members were also busy in October.
“We also sent cards welcoming home the men and women on the 37th Honor Flight, which originated in Indianapolis on October 15,” Beck says.
Beck would like to get other people in the Kokomo community to help out.
“As people see veterans, they can say ‘Thank you for your service,’” Beck says.
Beck says General James Cox, for whom the chapter is named, served in the New Jersey militia during the Revolutionary War.
Beck says he was first a major, and later a brigadier general and commander of the Monmouth brigade.
Membership in the DAR requires proof of bloodline descent from a Revolutionary War patriot.
To find out more about the General James Cox Chapter, visit genjamescoxdar.org.
