This past Tuesday November 11th Veterans day Westfall High school held a program to honor all our military service members past and present. The chapters of the Pickaway Plains DAR and Camp Charlotte SAR were both invited to participate in the event. Christine Lallier set the tone by reading a daughters letter to the attendees that was to her veteran father the day she visited the Vietnam memorial to remember his and other that sacrificed their lives so we could have the freedom we so cherish.
Friday, November 7th Camp Charlotte of the SAR and the ladies of the Pickaway Plains DAR chapter were invited to give a short Veterans Day presentation at Walnut Elementary, it’s history and the importance of it today. Kevin T. Donahue from Camp Charlotte along with Christine Lallier and Valerie Crist from the Pickaway Plains chapter were dressed in period attire and shared a brief overview of Veterans Day to K – 5th grade students, parents and guest veterans as part of the school’s program.
This year the pumpkin show was a very busy place for the Camp Charlotte members. The booth set up was a perfect place and provided multitudes of opportunities for both the DAR and SAR to show what the SAR and DAR represented. We got numerous inquiries and even got to meet other SAR/DAR members from Michigan, New Hampshire, Virginia, Kentucky, Delaware and the Carolina’s. We marched in 6 of the 7 parades the first 5 the weather provide a cool evening but mother nature just wasn’t satisfied and Saturday she threw on some heat. The State Color Guard commander joined us in that evening parade and with the other members put on quite a show of the colors as we marched by. Some photos provided by Brooke Dunn
For the up coming 250th celebration the Ohio 250th commission presented the premiere of The American Constitution. This was a 18 year build of how the American constitution can to be. The event was attended by member’s of Camp Charlotte SAR and Arthur St. Clair SAR and the Pickaway Plains & John Hoover chapters of the DAR at the request of the Director David Garrigus. The movie is schedule for a 2026 public release via PBS.
This year the Camp Charlotte Chapter SAR was asked to provide the Open ceremony event for the DAR 2025 chapter meeting at the Mount Oval historical farm located just south of Circleville. One of the highlights was the little skit put on from the John Hoover chapter of the DAR Grove City about how the Daughter of the American Revolution was formed. Another item was the presence of Circleville’s mayor Michelle L. Blanton to give a proclamation to the Pickaway Plains Chapter.
This Saturday 16 August was the 243rd anniversary of the Battle of Blue licks. There were many organization and many SAR & DAR chapters from various state chapters and the National Society were in attendance some of the chapter came as far away as Missouri, Louisiana and Georgia. Camp Charlotte of the Ohio Society had 3 of their compatriots in attendance Chapter president Kevin Driesbach Chapter secretary and South Central district chairman Rich Minshall and 2nd Vice president Max Demp. Weather was very warm and trying to find a cool spot was a little difficult but overall everything turned out great.
The week of July 19th the yearly National SAR 135th Congress was being held in Uncasville Connecticut and a few of the members of the Camp Charlotte chapter were in attendance. President Kevin Driesbach and our chapter Chaplin Tony Robinson were present as well as many others on the OHSSAR level.
July 5th the Ohio Society of the S.A.R was asked to be present again at the Veterans day at the zoo event. Many of the various VA benefit groups were all gather under the pavilion and many Vets came through and asked question about who we were and what we did. They provided a nice simple meal and entertainment for all those Vets that came by. The members of the Ohio Society of the S.A.R presented various pieces of historical items to teach what life 250 years ago would have had in it, many of the kids and adults that came by were fascinated by the age and what was used as money back then. Overall this event was well represented by Hocking valley members, VA representative Steve Conrad, State Color Guard commander Bob Hill, past OHSSAR president Don Miller the Camp Charlotte Chapter President Kevin Driesbach and chapter member Max Demp.
From Left to Right Don Miller, Steve Conrad, Bob Hill, Max Demp, Kevin Driesbach
This year on July 1st and 4th the members of the Camp Charlotte S.A.R and the Pickaway Plains of the D.A.R. were asked to led both parades the first was a evening parade and the 2nd was a morning parade. Both were traditionally as July goes HOT, but we all made it through. The local Boy Scout troop 159 helped out as extra flags were brought to celebrate the holiday.
Photo’s courtesy of Brooklyn Dunn
This year flag day 14 June event was a first for the members of Camp Charlotte SAR. Hosted by the local Elks lodge #77, Camp Charlotte did the honors of the American flag retirement ceremony. Weather was a constant threat so turn out was light. But with the local pumpkin show parade band and various dignitaries the ceremony was not as long as we would have hope for but but we got it done in a drenching down pour. The Elks were really happy with the overall format that both organizations presented and are hoping to continue in future years to continue. Thanks to our DAR liaison Christine Lallier for capturing the photos of this first for Camp Charlotte Chapter
Camp Charlotte Chapter #41-Sons of the American Revolution 