Last night was amazing, wasn’t it? So many inspirational award winners, and with Lee Greenwood winning the Founders Medal for Patriotism, it will give new meaning to God Bless the USA when I hear it from now on. After hearing that he plans to attend Congress next year to receive it in person I know that many of our daughters will want to hop on the TSDAR bus to attend opening night 2022 in person!
I hope you took the time to enjoy last’s night’s opening session. If you missed it please check out the virtual hub for on-demand viewing of many of the Congress sessions. Unlike regular Congress, if you miss an event you can go back to the hub and catch it later when more convenient for your schedule. From museum and period room tours to videos of Mr. Sunshine, our fantastic Bernard from the DAR Store, and the Junior Fireflies, there is something available 24/7 on the virtual hub to get you in the Congress Spirit. If you haven’t signed up for the virtual hub there is still time and information on how to register can be found here.
Yesterday was also a big day for Tennessee Daughters with the announcement of the DAR Leadership Training Committee Awards and Graduation. Please help congratulate our wonderful Southeastern Division Winners: Outstanding Independent Project 2021 Winner Genealogy – MerryAnn Pierson, Fort Nashborough Chapter; and Outstanding Capstone Project 2021 Winners, Genealogy – Barbara Roos, Brigadier General Richard Winn Chapter; Education – Linda Null Bonner, Martha Dandridge Washington Chapter; Membership – Kelly Boles, Nolachuckey Chapter. Special Congratulations are extended to National Education Outstanding Independent Project and Southeastern Division Winner Mary Carrol Roberts, Bonny Kate Chapter, for her project to award Dolly Parton the DAR Community Service Award for her creation of the Imagination Library.
This morning begins with our business session at 10am where Congress will be officially called to order with our official reports of our Executive Officers and half of the state regent reports. This year we have an on-line program that can be followed for business sessions just as if we were in DC together in the hall. If you have not had a chance to review the order of business for this morning you can access the official program here.
Tonight will be our Educational Awards Night and along with hearing from our wonderful national essay winners, and DAR Good Citizens, we will also honor our 2021 State Outstanding Juniors. We are so proud of Aubrey Williams for being named a finalist in the contest this year and the evening will end with the announcement with the National Runner-up and National Winner. I know you will join me in wishing Aubrey all the best this evening as she represents all our Tennessee Juniors and is a fantastic example of the future of our organization.
In Service, Cecile
