Each year, DAR Chapters throughout the country have an opportunity to nominate individuals from their community to receive one of DAR’s three Service for Veterans awards.The three awards are as follows:

1) Outstanding Veteran Volunteer
This award is presented to a veteran in recognition of outstanding achievement in personal, professional, and family life. The applicant must prove significant contributions of leadership, patriotism, and increased public awareness of veterans. The veteran nominee must live in California and be nominated by a California DAR Chapter.

Ideas for Identifying an Outstanding Veteran Volunteer: Many chapters work directly with veteran organizations (e.g., Veterans of Foreign Wars, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Disabled Veterans, and Vietnam Veterans) at VAVS meetings, Honor Flight Programs, county/city VA meetings/fundraisers, etc.). These organizations can help you to identify individuals who have provided extraordinary service to fellow veterans.

2) Outstanding Youth Volunteer
This award is presented to a youth volunteer (ages 14 to 21) who provides outstanding support to veterans. This award is given in recognition of outstanding or unusual care given to veterans. The candidate for this award serves as a role model for peers and consistently demonstrates the qualities of leadership.

Ideas for Identifying an Outstanding Youth Volunteer: Young men and women throughout the community who have received recognition from facilities that support/house veterans (i.e., VA, a nursing home, assisted living/dementia facility, or religious/community organizations who regularly support veterans). Another source of information is to contact high school counselors and let them know about this wonderful opportunity for high school students to demonstrate their volunteer service to veterans on their college applications.

3) Outstanding DAR Service for Veterans Volunteer
This award is presented to a DAR member in recognition of outstanding care given to veterans in any of the following areas: Department of Veterans Affairs facilities, state veterans facilities, nursing homes, shelters, and outpatient clinics. The Outstanding NSDAR Volunteer has given more than her time, she has made meaningful contributions to veterans through creative and resourceful outreach.

Ideas for Identifying an Outstanding DAR Member: The Chapter Regent should review the membership list and identify those daughters who provide ongoing service on various local, state, or national veteran committees. These could include such things as serving on a VAVS committee, a community veterans homeless committee, or organizing meals for state veteran facilities.

More information can be found at the DAR Service for Veterans Committee page on the CSSDAR Members’ Website (after login):

Service for Veterans Committee Page

The deadline for submitting chapter nominations is December 1st. The submission form is available here:

DAR Service for Veterans Nomination Form

Nominations must be received by December 1, 2020, and mailed to:
Whitney Crane
4863 Arlene St
San Diego, CA 92117

Please note: Winners are required to be present at Continental Congress to accept the awards. States and chapters sponsoring the winners must advise them of this requirement. States and chapters are required to assist the winner with travel and lodging expenses.

Thank you,

Whitney Crane & Salli Kirkpatrick
Service for Veterans State Chairs
housecrane@yahoo.com salkirk2609@gmail.com