Thanks to Barbara Gibbons and Karen Rink for Organizing Out 25th Anniversary Celebration!
Palatinate Regent Madonna Roberts, dressed in Colonial fashion, thanked Barbara Gibbons and Karen Rink for their excellent work in coordinating the planning and logistics for the 25th Anniversary celebration of the Palatinate Chapter. Their efforts included not just the organization of invitations and set-up of the luncheon, but also the coordination of the celebration with a tree dedication in the Rosengarten Park to commemorate the 250th Anniversary of American independence. As a perfect complement to the festivities, the weather was beautifully sunny and warm. It was a perfect day for all who attended! Thank you to Barbara and Karen for all your hard work!
Regent Madonna Roberts Congratulates Barbara Gibbons for the Organization of our 25th Anniversary celebration and tree-planting in honor of America’s 250th anniversary of independence
Palatinate Chapter Honors Organizing Regent Ramona Kechelen
The Palatinate Chapter was proud to honor its Organizing Regent, Ramona Kechelen, at the celebration of our 25th Anniversary in Zweibrücken. Regent Madonna Roberts praised and thanked Ramona for her enduring efforts to guide the chapter and help it develop into an ever stronger source of DAR mission-related work during the last 25 years. Ramona told those present that she originally was not meant to be the Organizing Regent, but the woman who had planned to fulfill that function had to return to the States, so the job was left to Ramona. Ramona mentioned how glad she was that the Tillicum Chapter in Washington State, where she was a member, encouraged her to organize the Palatinate DAR. Ramona remains close to the chapter in Washington State to this day and the Tillicum chapter is a sister chapter to the Palatinate DAR.
Regent Madonna Roberts, dressed in Colonial garb, thanks Organizing Regent Ramona Kechelen for her steadfast support over 25 years
Tulip Tree Commemoration Speeches
The members of the Palatinate Chapter gathered in the grounds of the Rosengarten for our commemorative tree dedication following our regular meeting and prior to our 25th anniversary luncheon celebration on April 26th.
Barbara Gibbons gave a moving speech about the significance of the tulip tree in history and its importance as a symbol of American freedom in revolutionary times and today. Members of the Palatinate Chapter assisted the Mayor of Zweibrücken, Dr. Wosnitza, and Mr. Heiko Hübscher, Head Gardener of the Rosengarten, in shoveling the first symbolic spades full of earth onto the base of the tree. Palatinate member Teresa Spatt read a beautiful poem about trees as symbols for the permanence of nature. Ramona Kechelen provided patriotic musical accompaniment by playing ‘Yankee Doodle Dandy’ on her piccolo flute. A wonderful, cheerful and dignified ceremony was shared and enjoyed by all.
Palatinate Chapter Installs Historic Plaque in Zweibrücken
In October 2022, the Palatinate Chapter dedicated an historic plaque to honor local Revolutionary War patriots Christian von Zweibruecken, his brother Wilhelm von Zweibruecken, and the members of the Regiment Royal Deux-Ponts. This French-German regiment under Christian’s command was part of the French Expeditionary Forces lead by Count Rochambeau. Wilhelm and other members of the regiment successfully charged General Cornwallis‘ troops at Redoubt 9 during the Battle of Yorktown, thus winning the battle and ending the war.
Overseas Military Baby Blanket Project: DOC Community update of Dec 2023
Many thanks from overseas military new parents!
Dazzling Donating Daughters have made and sent 5,500 baby quilts and crocheted/knitted blankets since the birth of this Project about 1.5 years ago! The Project began as a way for the Palatinate Daughters, Units Overseas, Germany, to be able to participate in a Chapter Project while being geographically separated. The Chapter hoped to be able to make and donate 35 blankets to the Ramstein Air Base Bundles for Babies class.
Our Awesome Associates learned about the Project and within a month Milissa and Pete Campbell were picking up SUV loads of packages mailed from the States for the Project. Milissa had no idea that as Project Administrator, she had created a full-time job with excessive overtime! Over 4,000 blankets were processed at Headquarters (Campbell’s dining room in Germany) before changing to Direct Shipping. Starting in February 2023, Direct Shipping was piloted and has been a huge success. The logistics of the Project are now more manageable. Donors are matched to locations on a need basis. One time use addresses are assigned to donors for each collection.
With enthusiasm to facilitate distribution of baby quilts and afghans to all overseas military new parents, it was forgotten that establishing new locations takes more time than expected. That coupled with the holiday season starting in early November and continuing through most of January has led to a temporary pause of matching donors to locations. Donors may let Milissa know a collection is ready knowing it will be a few weeks before an address is assigned. Thank you to all of the quilt and afghan makers, the collection and shipping organizers, and donors of supplies and revenue!
Check with your Regent for recording of Service to America hours for all activities associated with the Overseas Military Baby Blanket Project.
Please remember that no packages should be sent to Milissa Campbell. Her contact is:
mcampbell.dar.babyblanketproject@gmail.com
Exciting New Genealogy Book!
Genealogy can actually be exciting and this new book written by former Palatinate Chapter member Beth Hooper is a great example of this. In fact, her new book entitled “The Roots that Clutch” has already won two awards:
Winner Book Cover Design Non-Fiction 2024
Distinguished Favorite World Literature 2024
This book is a true story of a woman who traces her ancestry over several continents and many years to discover that she is directly related to a famous poet.
Of course, genealogy research is the perfect topic for a DAR member to explore and write about! Congratulations to Beth Hooper!
See synopsis of her book: https://www.independentpressaward.com/2024df/9789082146882
Military Baby Blanket Project Update May 2024
Overseas Military Baby Blanket Project is Ongoing with Nearly 6,000 Donated!!!
Nearly 6,000 of our youngest citizens have been presented with a handcrafted, filled with love, baby quilt or blanket from Daughters coast to coast and border to border; plus from internationally based members.
Ten of the 6,000 were beautifully crocheted, ripple blankets made by our own Past Regent Pam Jensen! The collection shown in the photo is headed to a NATO base overseas where the often times overlooked military new parents will be thrilled to receive them. The nurse director there has started a new program which is similar to the Army’s New Parent Support Program. She is excited that the OMBBP will provide baby blankets for them.
Many of the locations have recently requested to be restocked. Traditional cotton baby quilts and crocheted or knitted blankets in any pattern and any color are needed in at least 36″ square or a similar size such as 42″ x 38.
If you have a collection ready, please send a photo to Milissa (email below) of it showcasing each one for inventory and matching to a location. Once matched, the donor will receive a one-time use address for direct shipping.
Please note that shipping to the overseas new parent classes is REGULAR postage and NOT international. Each address is a US military address which is always regular postage.
Please email Milissa Campbell for information about the OMBBP at her Email above.This Email address is specifically for the baby blanket program; please do not use her personal Email address.
Enthusiastically shared by Milissa Bell Campbell, OMBBP Administrator
Project email: mcampbell.dar.babyblanketproject@gmail.com