The Roanoke Valley Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution installed new officers at the
meeting on May 10. They are:
- Regent – Susan Doyle
- Vice Regent – Shannon Campbell
- Recording/Corresponding Secretary – Donna Minnix
- Registrar – Sheila Campbell
- Treasurer – Heather Menzies
- Chaplain – Lynn Thompson
- Historian/ Librarian – Cindy Higgins
officers at the meeting on May 10. Pictured left to right are Historian/Librarian Cindy Higgins,
Secretary Donna Minnix, Registrar Sheila Campbell, Chaplain Lynn Thompson, Vice Regent
Shannon Campbell, and Regent Susan Doyle. (Treasurer Heather Menzies was not present.) (photos by Debbie Adams)
The organization also elected two Honorary Regents, who have served the chapter with
distinction, Eleanor Dye and Sharon Menzies.
Dye, a member for 34 years, served as Regent from 1997-2001 and as Vice Regent, Recording
and Corresponding Secretary, and Registrar. At the state level, Dye has served as State Registrar,
State Chaplain, and State Chair of Conservation. She also served as American Indians Eastern
Division Vice Chair and the Conservation Eastern Division Vice Chair. She was a member of the
Volunteer Chapter Genealogists.
“Eleanor has served DAR with distinction that we can only aspire to in our own DAR journeys,”
said outgoing Regent Cindy Higgins. “Now that she is facing health issues, I think it would be a
beautiful gesture to present her with one more accolade.”
Sharon Menzies, a member for 15 years, also was named as “Honorary Regent.” Sharon has
served as Vice Regent and two terms as Regent.
“She was an indispensable mentor to me, and I continue to value her opinion on matters,” said
Higgins. “She has continued to serve the chapter in many ways – most notably in heading up the
yearly blanket project and keeping us connected with various veteran issues and activities.”
New member Emilee Higgins Graham was installed at the meeting. Another new member, Julie
Campbell Lawrence, is awaiting installation, with four prospective new members in the process of completing documentation of their lineage to a Patriot who contributed to the success of the
American Revolution.
Janice Taylor, Regent Cindy Higgins, Graham, and Chaplain Diane Goode.
Higgins and Chaplain Diane Goode led a memorial service for DAR member Elizabeth “Betty”
Nantz, who passed away in Salem in June 2024 at age 80.
Shannon Campbell was recognized for winning the Women’s Mental Health Issues Essay
Contest for the State and Eastern Division and an honorable mention at the national level.
Members heard a presentation about “Cats in the Military,” which detailed the important role
“ratters” have played in military units throughout history, as far back as ancient Egypt. During
World War II, “a good ratter could help preserve precious food stores, help prevent the spread of
diseases and keep rats or mice from chewing through ropes and wiring.”
Cats also served as mascots and companions, providing stress relief and comfort during wartime.
They provided early detection and warning to the presence of mustard gas during World War I
and kept down insect populations. They have also been trained for covert operations. According
to the U.S. Dept. of Defense, a cat joined a U.S. Army unit in Iraq in 2004, named Private First
Class Hammer by his soldiers. He was so special to the unit that they went through an animal
rights non-profit to provide him a home in Colorado.
Debbie Adams from The Vinton Messenger was recognized with a certificate and medal for her
part in “keeping the DAR in the paper and in the eyes of the public.”
Members of the Roanoke Valley Chapter DAR do not just concern themselves with history.
They also devote many hours of community service, particularly focused on veterans. They cut
and tie fleece blankets for veterans in the area (the goal this year is 20 blankets), collect
manufacturers’ coupons to send to the military base in Japan ($129,349 worth from local DAR
chapters in 2024), send snacks to deployed U.S. Air Force troops, and send jewelry to Native
American thrift shops for sale. They have an ongoing project collecting plastic recyclables for
the Trex Corporation, receiving composite benches for the Town of Vinton in return.
Members Sharon and Heather Menzies recently presented the DAR JROTC bronze medal to a
deserving William Byrd High School student, Alexis Short, at the annual NJROTC Military Ball.
The Roanoke Valley Chapter also presents the DAR Good Citizenship Award and scholarship to
a William Byrd senior each year. Emma Rupe was this year’s recipient.
The group takes field trips to historic sites such as Montpelier, the home of James Madison, and
assists with the Honor Flight Program at the D-Day Memorial. Members participate in Veterans
Day parades in the region and join forces to support other local DAR chapters and their projects.
They have a book club that meets regularly and usually is focused on books with an historic
theme.
The Roanoke Valley Chapter NSDAR meets on the second Saturday of most months during the during the
school year at Campbell Memorial Presbyterian Church on Hardy Road in Vinton.
