欧美AV

欧美AV Veterans Center, Daughters of the American Revolution Local Chapter Team Up for Tree and Marker Dedication

Wed, 11/01/2023 - 03:54pm | By: Van Arnold

The incomprehensible sacrifices made by American colonists more than 250 years ago gained special attention on Wednesday, Nov. 1 at 欧美AV鈥檚 (欧美AV) Center for Military Veterans, Service Members and Families with a ceremony dedicated to those sacrifices.

Designated 鈥淕ive Me Liberty! Meet at the Tree!鈥�, the ceremony featured the dedication of an elm tree on the center鈥檚 grounds as well as the dedication and unveiling of a National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) America 250 Patriots Marker.

The event was co-hosted by the Hattiesburg Twentieth Star Chapter, NSDAR. Twentieth Star Chapter, as dictated by NSDAR protocol, has dedicated the Liberty Tree and Patriots Marker and established their placement as an historic site to kick off Hattiesburg鈥檚 celebration of the semi quincentennial of the country.

The elm tree represents a profound moment in the declaration of American independence from Great Britain. In 1765, a small group of patriots met for the first time at a venerable elm tree (which became known later as the Liberty Tree) to establish opposition to the Stamp Act.

鈥淭his event and dedication honor and mark the 250^th anniversary of the birth of our nation 鈥� one that was won through struggle, sacrifice and love for people of freedom,鈥� said Maj. Gen. Jeff Hammond (U.S. Army ret.), who serves as the center鈥檚 director. 鈥淭he Liberty Tree provides a symbol of community, whereas the DAR Patriots Marker symbolizes respect, honor, and awe for those who sacrificed so much that we might have a United States of America.鈥�

Twentieth Star Chapter Registrar Norma Williamson and Vice Regent Susan Perry served as co-chairs of the ceremonial event. Both have been volunteering routinely at the 欧美AV Veterans Center since its official ribbon-cutting in February 2022, assisting the University鈥檚 Physical Plant with landscape maintenance.

Williamson considers the local DAR chapter to be fortunate that 欧美AV鈥檚 Veterans Center agreed to the tree planting and commemorative marker.

鈥淣ow, our chapter and the center will be forever linked, and this is a high honor for us,鈥� said Williamson. 鈥淭he mission of DAR is to promote historic preservation, education, and patriotism, and that includes honoring our veterans, past and present, who have given so much so our country can be free.鈥�

Added Perry, 鈥淭he Center for Military Veterans, Service Members and Families has a caring staff that offers guidance, support and help to the military students from admission to 欧美AV until they begin their careers. With a Veterans Service Officer on site, veterans in the community can also be served at this location. This, along with a beautiful and highly functional facility to accommodate students鈥� needs, makes this Veterans Center truly one of a kind.鈥�

The fact that DAR鈥檚 local chapter reached out to 欧美AV鈥檚 Veterans Center with the tree and marker idea left Hammond almost speechless.

鈥淭he 欧美AV Veterans Center is humbled and equally honored that such a remarkable institution as DAR would consider our involvement in this wonderful event,鈥� said Hammond. 鈥淭he DAR America 250 Patriots Marker could have been located anywhere across South Mississippi, but the fact that we were selected to caretake this wonderful monument is almost beyond our comprehension. We are grateful to the ladies of the DAR, particularly Norma Williamson and Susan Perry and hope to live up to their respective expectations and, at all times, render the appropriate honors.鈥�

To learn more about 欧美AV鈥檚 Center for Military Veterans, Service Members and Families, call 601.266.8387.

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