Chico Chapter had some very special guests for our meeting on November 19, 2022. Bruce Riecke of VFW Post 9650 in Anderson, who is director of the Service Dog Training Program, was our guest speaker. Along with Bruce was one of the teams’ trainers Patty Kelly-Korteum and her husband Jim and her dog Finley, who is a fully trained service dog and one of the organization’s demonstration dogs. They also brought Lucy a young demonstration dog in training.

The Service Dog Training Program provides dogs to veterans who suffer from PTSD. The objective of this program is to give back to veterans who gave of themselves to serve our county, sustaining both injuries visible and those we cannot see. This includes services for female veterans who have suffered sexual harassment or assault. The program assists in locating, matching, and training a K9 to the level desired by the veteran and to provide both assistance and companionship. The training is for both the K9 and the veteran. The K9 matching and veteran participation in training has proven to make the bond exceptionally strong and necessary for optimum service dog work. The same program is active in VFW Post 8358 in Sacramento.

Certificates of appreciation were given to the participants along with a bag of chews for our four-legged guests, compliments of our regent. Service for Veterans Chair, Alma Roots, was honored to present Bruce with a certificate thanking him for his service during the Vietnam War along with a Vietnam veterans pin.

Gold Trail Chapter never hibernates! All year round this chapter’s Women’s Issues-Spools & Skeins crafting group makes and distributes hundreds of stuffed bears, toys, and comfort supplies. The bears and soft comforting bunnies are delivered to local hospital emergency rooms and are given to first responders to take along on calls. Gold Trail members donate fabric and supplies, and the crafters do their magic.

These talented ladies are compassionate as well, providing comfort items such as soft chemo beanies and scarves. These items are much appreciated by cancer and other patients receiving chemotherapy.

Quilts, fleece blankets, hats and more are regularly donated with love to veterans at the VA and through programs assisting veterans. It is our honor to present our brave veterans with homemade handcrafted gifts at the holidays and at patriotic events.

Gold Trail welcomes all sewers, knitters, crocheters, and just about anyone who can stuff fiberfill to join them for an afternoon of crafting. Every item is made with love!

Ethel Lee Lawson recently celebrated her 96th birthday. She is nearly deaf and recovering from both heart surgery and a hip replacement. She is unsteady on her feet and requires a walker. None of these impediments slow her from using her time in service to others. She has spent her whole life in service to others, so now she does what she can.

She is a member of a quilting club that works all year long in anticipation of their annual “Quilt Faire” which allows them to make significant donations to local charities (hundreds of quilts, handcrafted items, and home-cooked goodies. A friend picks her up each Wednesday to take her to the meeting, where she is considered the “Queen”. Beside here work there, she also works all week long at home in her chair.

Charities are given quilts (new moms in hospitals, homeless moms, pregnancy center moms, elderly in care centers). Funds received at the quilt fair were donated last year to: Boys and Girls Club, Lodi House, Grace and Mercy, food for homeless, Salvation Army, Pregnancy Resource Center, Hume Lake Christian Youth Camp, Village Community Outreach, Directions Medical Clinic, Upward Sports, Lowell Center, 180 (after school program for disadvantaged youth), Care Lodi, and The Village Community Center.

At least 20 hours a week are posted to Ethel’s Service to America hours. Her daughter, Ann Taylor, is also a member of Sierra Amador Chapter. Sierra Amador Chapter rejoices in Ethel’s many years of service and is an inspiration to others.

The El Dorado Chapter was delighted to recently present the national DAR recognition, “Women in American History,” upon chapter member and former chapter regent, Ellen Osborn.

Ellen is well known to many in El Dorado County. She has spent more than 20 years volunteering for the El Dorado County Historical Museum, has conducted extensive research to develop timelines and scripts of historical events for use in community celebrations, and was instrumental in the setting of commemorative plaques in historical locations.

Assisting archaeologists working in the Eldorado National Forest, Ellen has explored the terrain to help identify and mark traces of the California Emigrant Trail. And through the appointment by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Ellen served two terms on the Eldorado National Forest Resource Advisory Committee, representing the current and historical needs of the community.

As a descendant of John Calhoun Johnson, an early county settler who arrived during the summer of 1849, she and her husband Ford organized and worked with volunteers to identify and mark Johnson’s Cutoff, established by her great-great grandfather in 1852, a shorter emigrant route that eventually led to the evolution of what is now known as CA Highway 50.

Fortunately, Ellen has compiled some of her research in over twenty non-fiction articles about Western history that have been published in a variety of magazines, and the 30 years of researching her great-great grandfather’s experiences has resulted in a nonfiction book, “A Lovely & Comfortable Heritage Lost.”

Congratulations Ellen Osborn!!!

Photo L to R: Lisbeth Powell and Ellen Osborn with her recognition pin and certificate.

The Fresno-Yosemite Chapter was well-represented at the 103rd Central Valley Veterans Day Parade held on November 11, 2022, in downtown Fresno. Our entry in the parade, the largest parade this side of the Mississippi, consisted of four cars, beautifully decorated, and eleven Daughters, who took this opportunity to honor and support our Valley Veterans.

This year, our enjoyment of the parade was heightened by the presence of the Yosemite SAR Color Guard marching directly in front of us. As always, the energy and excitement of spectators and participants alike makes this day of remembrance and respect very special to all.

Aurantia Chapter found out that ten women veterans live at March Air Reserve Base in Riverside, California.. Members immediately adopted all ten women. The chapter knew these honored veterans live a solitary life and wanted to provide much needed supplies and caring for these ladies.

The chapter provided each veteran with a large tote bag filled with feminine supplies, socks, holiday decorations, sweets, handmade items, Christmas stockings and more surprises. All of this was through donations from Aurantia Daughters. The whole chapter was involved. The veterans were also gifted with a Christmas card, a star and Aurantia’s gratitude card.

The chapter plans to continue its Adopt-A-Woman Veteran program by sending them birthday cards and acknowledging reminders throughout the years to come. It is our honor to be a part of this cause. Our lady veterans at the Base were happily surprised. Aurantia will remember their service for many years.