Marking patriotism: DAR dedicates marker at courthouse
The General Richard Butler Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution dedicated a DAR America 250 Patriots Marker at a ceremony on the front lawn of the Butler County Courthouse on Saturday morning.
The marker “commemorates the men and women who achieved American independence” in advance of the upcoming 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.
“We are raising visibility for our patriots and creating an interest in who they were and enthusiasm for what they accomplished,” said Martha Eberhardt, regent of the General Richard Butler Chapter of the DAR. “We gather here today to be their voice, to remember and to continue to educate the generations of today and in the future.”
Representatives from the General Richard Butler Chapter of the DAR, the Christopher Gist Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution and the Elizabeth McKinney Society of the Children of the American Revolution made remarks at the dedication. Donna Croft, vice regent of the General Richard Butler Chapter, presented greetings from national representatives, including from President General Denise Doring VanBuren of the National Society DAR.
The Combined Pittsburgh and General Anthony Wayne Chapter Color Guard, the Pennsylvania Society of the Sons of the American Revolution and the Majestic Brass ensemble assisted with at the ceremony.
The NSDAR, a national nonprofit volunteer women's service organization with 3,000 chapters and nearly 185,000 members, established the DAR America 250 Patriots Marker project as part of a 10-year effort to commemorate the upcoming sestercentennial. The program consists of a series of markers placed across the United States with a goal of at least one marker for each state.The Butler County Courthouse marker is the first to be placed in the state, said Pennsylvania State Regent Elizabeth Watkins.“By the end of the year, we'll have three in the state,” Watkins said. “In two weeks, we'll be dedicating one at Paoli Battlefield, and in November, we will be dedicating one at Washington Crossing.”The state society of the DAR will sponsor the other two markers, but the Butler County Courthouse marker is unique in being sponsored by the local chapter of the DAR.“It's a big day,” Watkins said. “These markers are intended to educate the public — that's one of the founding principles of the DAR. We're very excited to show our patriotism.”
The DAR approached Butler County officials five or six months ago to discuss placing the marker and had considered several locations, according to Jack Cohen, President of the Butler County Tourism & Convention Bureau.“We all looked at the courthouse, and how could you not put it there? The grass is just perfect, and we have it right by the flag,” said Cohen. “Everybody driving by will see it. Hopefully they will stop and read it.”During the ceremony, Butler County board of commissioners Chair Leslie Osche read a proclamation declaring July 10, 2021, to be Revolutionary War Patriots Day in Butler County.“We're proud to be the first marker in the commonwealth,” Osche said.A cover over the marker at the ceremony was designed by the students of Butler Senior High School art teacher Erich Campbell: Maura Cornibe, Hailie Brown, Deana Reges and Reed Rozell.
