The Three Rivers Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, held their monthly meeting on November 8, 2014 at the Bagdad United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall. American Indian members wore their American Indian attire. Refreshments were served by Sue Smith, Jan Davis, Wilene Thompson and Wilma Scofield.
A National Defense report was given by Sue Smith, Flag Minute by Janice Malone and American Indian Minute by Carolyn McDuffie. Chaplain Gail Allred inducted Pat Hall as Librarian of the Chapter. Donations were collected for snacks for the USO Regional Airport.
In recognition of Native American Heritage Month, Gail Allred gave an interesting and educational presentation on “Native Americans’ Roles in the American Military throughout American History.” Native Americans have been in the American military from the American Revolution to the present. Mrs. Allred mentioned some famous Native Americans such as Ely Parker, Joseph Oklahoma, the Code Talkers and Ira Hayes.
Laura Gail Luker Allred has lived all her life in Santa Rosa and Escambia Counties, Florida. She taught school and was named Santa Rosa County Teacher of the Year in 1991.She also served as assistant principal at Chumuckla Elementary for 12 years. She is an organizing and Charter member of Three Rivers Chapter NSDAR where she has held many offices. She is also an organizing and Charter member of the Simpson Mounted Rangers Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy. She is chair of membership for the Santa Rosa County Creek Indian Tribe and is a Council member. She said “I have learned a great deal about the number of Creek descendants we have in this area. This heritage is the most difficult to prove since it was hidden so well.”
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: DAR celebrates Native American Heritage month