Members and friends of Sleeping Ute Mountain Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution chapter have given lap robes for the past three years for use in the 120-bed, long-term facility for our country’s veterans at Walsenburg.
This home provides care to veterans from anywhere in the United States.
It is the goal of the DAR group to send 50 lap robes each year to the Colorado State Veterans Home for use by the residents. All the lap robes have been hand-crafted by the ladies, and the veterans are pleased to receive these for their use. This project was started in 2013 with the goal of 50 lap robes each year being made and with this year’s contribution a total of 150 lap robes have been sent to this facility.
Those members who have given their time for this project are Velma Kingery, Daisy Mahaffey, Mary Lou Perkins and Susan Ives Peters from Albuquerque. With the help of Edith Flanagan, Hannah Whyman and Shirley McDowell, the group was able to reach their goal of 50 robes for the state home.
The DAR is an active group. Two members served with the U. S. Navy.
Jennifer McClellan Freeman was stationed on the USS John C. Stennis when it was deployed to the Persian Gulf. Halene Winship West served in the Navy during Vietnam. The DAR is active in “Project Patriot” which assists our military when requests have been made for various items.
In 1995, two members of this chapter found the names of 35 men who had served in the Civil War and came into Southwestern Colorado. It was decided to determine if any of these men were buried in the area. The DAR list of 35 men grew to a list of 165 men who came into the area. After extensive research and with the aid of the VA and family members, the DAR was able to secure 22 military headstones for Civil War Veterans that were buried in the local cemeteries in unmarked graves. In Disappointment Valley, two Civil War Veterans buried there received bronze markers on their graves.
Each year prior to Memorial Day the Cortez DAR chapter visits veterans’ graves in 15 rural cemeteries to place new American flags on their graves. The size of the flags allow them to remain on the graves all year. They plan on placing about 300 flags this year.
In 1890, a group of women who wished to honor their ancestors who offered their services in the Revolutionary War founded the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. Membership in DAR offers women the opportunity to help educate our youth, preserve our past and promote love of our country. Their mission is promoting historical preservation, education and patriotism. Since founding over 930,000 members have joined this national society. Any woman 18 years or older regardless of race, religion or ethnic background who can prove lineal descent from a Patriot of the American Revolution is eligible to join. For information please contact Halene West, Regent, 565-3279, June Head, Registrar, 565-3880 or any member of the local DAR.
Your donation of material, old sheets (which can be used inside the lap robes), mattress covers or quilted bed spreads will be welcomed by the group for use in future lap robes. Please contact Velma Kingery 565-9755, Daisy Mahaffey, 970-739-0627, or Halene West 565-3279 if you wish to donate any of the above needed items and they will arrange for pickup of these items.
For information about this article, please contact June Head, 970-565-3880.