Within the 10th Mountain Chapter, NSDAR, we are working to strengthen our communities through involvement, education, and historical preservation. Membership is filled with benefits, including opportunities to learn and lead, shape your experience to what is important to you, and become part of a larger network across the country. Becoming an active member is fun and personally fulfilling!
DAR Project Patriot Committee Support:
One of the chapter’s first projects was to give flag display boxes and U.S. Flags flown over the U.S. Capitol to all Army ROTC cadets when they commissioned from the Golden Buffalo Battalion at the University of Colorado. The Golden Buffalo Battalion includes not only the University of Colorado, Boulder, but also Colorado School of Mines, Metropolitan State University of Denver, Colorado Christian University, Colorado Technical University, Johnson & Wales University, Regis University, University of Colorado Denver, University of Denver, Arapahoe Community College, Community College of Denver, Front Range Community College, and Red Rocks Community College. In addition to supporting newly commissioned Army 2nd Lieutenants, the chapter adopted several Navy ships to send baked goods and cards to during the holidays, thinking-of-you notes throughout the year, and pocket U.S. Flags and more treats for the Fourth of July.
DAR Good Citizen:
Since the founding of the 10th Mountain Chapter, members have supported the DAR Good Citizen Committee by honoring a high school senior from each school with a cash award in addition to the certificate and pin. The 10th Mountain Chapter presents awards each year to seven local high schools, including Battle Mountain, Eagle Valley, Vail Mountain School, Vail Ski & Snowboard Academy, Red Canyon, Vail Christian, and Lake County High School.
Community Involvement:
On Memorial Day, we place flags on veterans’ graves in conjunction with the local VFW. We are fortunate in the Vail Valley to have one of the largest July 4 celebrations in the state. The 10th Mountain Chapter members have been involved almost every year by walking in the parade and handing out thousands of small U.S. Flags. During Constitution week (September 17-23 of each year), we urge Americans to reflect on the United States Constitution during the annual observance in honor of this foundational document of our national governance. In November, we attend the Veterans Day celebration and support the local VFW in honoring our local veterans by often handing out cookies, red poppy pins or U.S. Flags.
Beginning in 2020, the chapter was also able to enroll three local cemeteries in the DAR-supported program Wreaths Across America. The community has helped support the program from first responders escorting the delivery truck into the valley to the many families who placed wreaths on family veterans’ graves. The chapter was able to place a wreath on all the veterans’ graves in the valley (Minturn, Eagle, and Gypsum) and placed ceremonial wreaths at the monument to the 10th Mountain Division Arm troops who trained nearby at Camp Hale during WWII. We have continued this tradition annually to support veterans and to remember our local Gold Star families. We also place ceremonial wreaths at Freedom Park, Vail Memorial Park, Vail 10th Mountain Skier Statue and Red Cliff cemetery.
In December 2018, the chapter honored Sandy Treat, one of the last remaining veterans of the 10th Mountain Division. He was pleased to receive this honor, since his mother was a DAR member.
Work of the Society
Most of the significant work of the NSDAR is done at the grassroots level through individual chapters and members of the 10th Mountain Chapter are delighted to join with the other chapters in Colorado, the Colorado State Society, and the National Society in service to our communities. Each chapter has its own programs and initiatives based on the DAR mission and guidance from the state and national leadership. Our committees are the base of our chapter’s involvement in our communities, giving our members opportunities to serve DAR objectives that are most valuable to each person. Some of the committees we are excited to serve include:
| American Heritage American History American Indians Americanism Chapter Achievement Awards Children of the American Revolution Committee Chapter Development and Revitalization Commission Commemorative Events Community Classroom Community Service Awards Conservation Constitution Week DAR Genealogy Preservation DAR Good Citizens DAR Magazine DAR Museum Outreach DAR Project Patriot DAR Scholarship DAR School | DAR Service for Veterans The Flag of the United States of America Genealogical Records Historic Preservation Insignia Junior American Citizens Junior Membership Lineage Research Literacy Promotion Membership National Defense President General’s Project Public Relations & Media Committee Service to America Special Projects Grants Volunteer Information Specialists Volunteer Genealogists Women’s Issues |