DAR program remembers famous Christmases in history

Hostesses for the DAR Christmas party and dinner were Jeanette Holt, Kathryn Dean, Margaret Griffin and Pudge Griffin Members of the Samuel Paul Dinkins Chapter DAR attended a Christmas party and formal seated dinner at the home of Margaret Griffin. Co-hostesses were Kathryn Dean, Jeanette Holt and Pudge Griffin.

First Vice Regent Carroll Bolton called the meeting to order and with the assistance of Martha Smith, chaplain, led the members in the DAR Ritual, the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, the salute to the Texas flag, and the American's Creed. Pudge Griffin led the singing of the National Anthem accompanied by Martha Smith at the piano.

The National Defense Report was given by Dorothy Brooks, chairman. She reported a strong America is necessary to preserve our freedom and to protect our Constitution and that all citizens must work toward this goal.

"This can be done in many ways," she said. "Our all-volunteer military is probably our biggest contributor toward this goal. Their sacrifice and dedication is unlimited and a great example for all citizens.

"However, a strong national defense is not just the military's job. They need to know they are not alone. Our firemen, police officers and ordinary citizens can contribute by flying our flags, voting, supporting our troops and supporting our veterans."

Carroll Bolton gave some facts about Christmas celebrations from long ago. The first recorded celebration of Christmas in New England was held in 1604 on a tiny island off the coast of present day Maine. There at St. Croix, a group of 80 French settlers held Christmas services in their rough timber chapel. Three years later in 1607 in Jamestown, Virginia, about 40 survivors of the original 100 settlers commemorated Christmas Day in the crude wooded chapel of their fort.

In 1620 when the Pilgrims came to Plymouth, Massachusetts, aboard the Mayflower, Christmas by Christians was not celebrated but was noted as the day they began to erect the first house for common use. On Christmas Day of 1776, George Washington and his men crossed the Delaware and attacked the next morning, knowing the German mercenaries would be recovering from their celebrations of the previous day.

Following the program, members sang carols and talked about their favorite Christmas memories.