Vinton War Memorial hosts Virginia District VII DAR meeting, wreath-laying ceremony

By Debbie Adams

The Vinton War Memorial hosted the annual meeting of Virginia DAR District VII on July 13.
The meeting began outside at the High Ground Monument with the presentation of American
flags by the VFW Post 1264 Honor Guard. The posting of the colors was followed DAR
members and guests reciting in unison the Pledge of Allegiance, The American’s Creed, and the
Preamble to the United States Constitution– the rituals which usually begin local chapter
meetings.

DAR members of the District VII Chapters were welcomed by current District VII Director
Jeanne Dooley, who introduced Vinton Mayor Brad Grose.

Mayor Grose emphasized the great and long-lived partnership between veterans and the Town of
Vinton. The Vinton War Memorial itself was completed in 1946 to honor those who made the
ultimate sacrifice in service to their country in World War II.

The nearby High Ground Monument (the Vinton-Roanoke County Veterans Monument) where
the DAR ceremony was held was built to honor past Vinton and Roanoke County residents who
were killed in action, along with military men and women who have or are currently serving. It
was unveiled in 2011. Citizens of Vinton and Roanoke County primarily funded the campaign to
build this monument.

Grose commented that the High Ground was a citizen-driven effort which exemplifies “how
deep patriotism runs in Vinton.”

He also mentioned a new wall inside the Municipal Building which displays a seal from each
branch of the military.

Prior to his remarks, one of the flags had toppled over in the brisk breeze that morning. Grose
noted, “Once in a while the flag falls, but it always gets picked up. It may take a hit, as on 9/11
or Pearl Harbor, but it is always picked up. The American flag will always fly over this great
nation, as long as there are patriots like you.”

Dooley expressed her appreciation for those attending the final District VII meeting of her
administration. She thanked the town, the county, and the citizens for building the High Ground

Monument which has become a special place to pause, remember, and honor those who have
served or are serving in the armed forces– American heroes.

She pointed out the various symbols on the High Ground Monument– the lists of those who
perished in combat, the names of local citizens who served, the granite panels, the bronze
American flag, the individual pavers placed by family and friends in remembrance, along with
the seals denoting all branches of service. She read the inscription, “Here Pause Awhile– To
Bless Their Sleep– Who Fell in War– To Save Our Peace– Then Go Renewed– And Build the
Lives– They Lost for You– In God We Trust.”

Veterans in attendance were recognized with the presentation of American flags. The program
then concluded with a wreath-laying ceremony, with patriotic wreaths placed by each local
chapter in District VII, including the Roanoke Valley Chapter which meets at Campbell
Memorial Presbyterian in Vinton. Regent Cindy Higgins placed that wreath.

District VII includes these DAR chapters: Alleghany, Botetourt County, Colonel Abram Penn
(Stuart), Colonel William Preston (Roanoke), Craig Valley, Floyd Courthouse, Fort Lewis
(Salem), General James Breckinridge (Roanoke), General Joseph Martin (Martinsville), General
William Campbell (Radford), Margaret Lynn Lewis (Roanoke), Nancy Christian Fleming
(Roanoke), Patrick Henry (Martinsville), Peaks of Otter (Bedford), Virginia’s Old Carolina Road
(Rocky Mount), and the George Pearis Chapter (Giles), in addition to the Roanoke Valley
Chapter.

Several members from the Vinton chapter attended the district meeting including Higgins, Sheila
Campbell, Janice Taylor, Sharon Menzies, Susan Doyle, Elaine Muldrew, Diane Goode,
Shannon Campbell, and Heather Menzies.