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Our Chapter is so very grateful for our past, present and future Patriots
Wreaths Across America – Mansion Memorial Cemetery
Inspite of the inclement weather, the Wreaths Across America ceremony was held at the Mansion Memorial Cemetery in Ellenton, Florida. Manatee Chapte, First Vice Regent was honored and privileged to participate and was asked to place the POW/MIA wreath. All military branches were represented by women veterans who placed the wreath for their branch.
This stunning veteran was the honored guest. She served in Washington, D.C during World War II.
Veterans Parade 2023
We participated in the annual Veterans Day Parade once again this year. Our Regent, Honorary Regent and our First Vice Regent welcomed a lift in a jeep.
Kathy Doddridge awarded the Auxiliary Veteran of the Year 2023
Manatee Chapter Regent, Honorary Regent and Immediate Past Regent supporting our Veterans during the Veterans Day Parade
2023 Manatee Veterans Stand Down
Manatee Chapter once again supported our Veterans by participating in the Manatee Veterans Stand Down held in October. Celebrating its 20th year, this extremely valuable event recognizes the needs of our veterans by offering dental, vision, hearing along with many other social services.
Manatee Daughters Support South East Guide Dogs
Our program in early November was a wonderful presentation by a “puppy raiser” along with her husband, a retired Guide dog and her current puppy. This wonderful program assists SE Guide Dogs by raising the puppies for their first year teaching them basic commands and socializing the dogs. There are currently around 200 puppy raisers in the the South East. With over 400 applicants waiting to be matched with their dog, more puppy raisers are desperately needed.
2022 Manatee Veterans Stand Down
Manatee Chapter DAR members
2022 Auxiliary Member of the Year
One of our very own, has been awarded the 2022 Auxiliary Member of the Year for her dedication and commitment to the Manatee County Veterans Council.
Memorial Day Observance 2022
Manatee Chapter DAR members
Veterans Cemetery – Sarasota FL – Wreath Laying ceremony
Veterans Day – 2021
Members distributed U.S. Flags and programs and greeted participants
Pictures from Veterans Day Service: Veterans Council Members
2021 Manatee – Stand Down
Pictures from Manatee Veterans Stand Down
We annually present awards to three local Junior ROTC units in Manatee County.
Bayshore High School J-ROTC Awards ceremony
We have provided entertainment for residents at the Douglas T. Jacobson State Veterans Home.
Chapter members are actively involved in the support of the Manatee County Veterans Council by serving on their board and committees; helping with the Veterans Stand Down.
We collect stamps used as physical therapy tools for wounded veterans.
The Chapter participates each year in the Veterans Day Parade, local commemorative events, and parades promoting patriotism.
Our Chapter provides items to Manasota Operation Troop Support (MOTS) which assists local military families along with troops overseas.
We generously support the efforts of the National Society’s DAR Project Patriot Committee.
Manatee Daughters Support “Groupons”
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Manasota Veterans Council Memorial Day
Members of the Manatee Chapter DAR
Two Chapter members have been awarded the Auxiliary Member of the Year by the Manasota Veterans Council. Their names are inscribed on a monument.
Veterans Council Auxiliary Member
For the third year in a row, the Manatee County Veterans Council has recognized a Manatee Chapter daughter as the Auxiliary Member for 2020.
2019 Veterans Day Parade
Past Chapter Regents joined our current Regent along with other members to hand out over 200 U.S. flags to those waiting to honor our Service Veterans. 
Past Manatee Chapter Regent awarded Auxiliary Member of the Year
Our past Manatee Chapter Regent was recognized for all her work and support of our Veterans by the Manatee County Veterans Council as the Auxiliary Member of the Year.
Here she is joined by our Past Regent who also received this award just one year ago.
We are so very proud of our Daughters.
2019 Stand Down
Several Chapter members were among nearly 500 volunteers who participated in the 2019 Stand Down.
Manatee Chapter volunteers participate in Turning Points, which provides a remarkable variety of free services designed to assist individuals and families on their path to financial stability and independence. Turning Points is the one stop shop for preventing and reducing homelessness in our community. Support was provided to 224 participants, including 120 veterans of which 29 were homeless.
“You Are Not Forgotten”
The purpose of the Missing in America program is to locate, identify, and inter unclaimed cremains of American veterans. Through the joint efforts of private, state and federal organizations, those forgotten heroes who have served this country are provided their final resting place, honoring and respecting their sacrifice.
Chapter members participate in this moving ceremony.
September 26, 2019 at Sarasota National Cemetery.
Manatee Veterans Council Memorial Day Observance – Wreath Laying Ceremony
Past and current Chapter regents
2019 – Manatee Veterans council Memorial Day Observance
We supported our State Regent’s project – “Project Linus”
Project Linus provides handmade blankets to children in the United States who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need.
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Our Chapter Registrar and her entire family worked on blankets over the Christmas Holidays.
Wreaths Across America
Manatee Chapter members purchase wreaths for the Sarasota National Cemetery. Members also participate in wreath-laying ceremonies.
Wreaths are placed on every headstone at National Cemeteries across the world. Each December on National Wreaths Across America Day, our mission to Remember, Honor and Teach is carried out by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as at more than 3,700 additional locations in all 50 U.S. states, at sea and abroad. 
Chapter members laying wreaths at the National Cemetery in Sarasota.
Wreaths Across America Cleanup
Manatee Chapter Daughters assist at the Sarasota National Cemetery removing wreaths.
Manatee Chapter Regent chosen as Manatee County Veterans Council Auxiliary Member of the Year 2016
Manatee Chapter designated Department of Defense – Vietnam War Commemorative Partner
The Commemorative Partner Program is designed for federal, state and local communities, veterans’ organizations and other nongovernmental organizations to assist a grateful nation in thanking and honoring our Vietnam veterans and their families. Commemorative Partners are encouraged to participate in the Commemoration of the Vietnam War by planning and conducting events and activities that will recognize the Vietnam veterans and their families’ service, valor, and sacrifice.
Manatee Chapter thanked 40 Vietnam veterans for their service, sacrifice and valor at the Bradenton Senior Softball Banquet on Friday March 6th, as a part of the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War Commemoration.
Manatee Chapter is proud to be a Commemorative Partner and to have the chance to honor our nations Vietnam veterans. Pictured with the recipients is our Regent, Manatee Chapter, NSDAR.
Manatee Daughters Honor 28 Vietnam Veterans of River Isles
The event was held on Friday, November 20, 2015 at the River Clubhouse as a part the monthly pancake breakfast. Over 120 attended the event including: John Amelung, Gene Back, Jerry Bodalski, Jack Chambers, Gene Garrison, Dave Germann, Jerry Gilmore, Lloyd Graft, Gary Hartzler, Ron Hyland, Burt Jackson, Larry Jackson, John Lingle, Don Maxim, Carl Morgan, Terry Neubaum, Arnold Nilson, Don Olschefskie, Nick Osier, Roland R Pelletier, Gary Richardson, Marcia Rihm, Philip Rihm, Mark Schafer, Mike Solomita, John Wallace, Robert Seely, Ron Schneider.
Manatee Daughters honor 30 Vietnam Veterans at the Encore RV Resort
The December ceremony took place at the Manatee Encore RV Resort in Bradenton. It was the chapter’s third such event this year and was held as part of an NSDAR initiative marking the 50th anniversary of the start of U.S. combat operations in Vietnam. Pictured are Manatee Chapter DAR members along with: Timothy Maloney, Mike Maloney, Marc Reardon, Allen Makela, Kevin Falls, John Curvey, (row 2) Jim Townsend, (row 3) Clifford Mapes, Gary Pontius, Richard Rasmussen, Robin Knuutila, Tom Bray, Michael Catella, Robert Cox, Robert Ernst, (rear) Darrell Sears, Robert Hayes, Robert Novak, Ralph Garner, and Tom Proffer. Not shown: William Bacon, Vincent Bruck, Ernest Chapman, Dave Diener, Harry Knowles, Stephen Larson, David Martin, Ian Pelham, and Robert Phippen.
Manatee Daughters honor another Vietnam Veteran at a recent meeting!
Anna Benardo Brucker received her Vietnam Veteran certificate and lapel pin from Regent Spry at the February 12th meeting. Linda Craig of M.O.T.S. said a few words about her organization and its role in caring for Manatee and Sarasota County troops and their families, during and after deployment.
Manatee Daughters honor Vietnam Veterans at Faith United Methodist Church
Vietnam Veterans honored November 13, 2016
Back Row: Bill Campbell, Karl Hasbrouck
Middle Row: Walter Hunt, Dr. Bob LaMastro, Fred Mack, William Porterfield, Dan Munini, Bob Sanders, John Tucker, Chuck Thoreson, Lynden Warren
Front Row: Nelson Applegate, Jr., Jim Carlson, Jim Dart, Garry Metcalf, Bill Dooley, Bill Seagers, Ron Schoenfelder, Ed Trottier
Not pictured: Gary Folz, Robert Laney, Robert Lenz, Charles Richell, Michael Selby
Manatee Daughters honor Vietnam Veterans with Bay Chorale
Don Courtney, USA (Ret.) receives NSDAR Community Service Award – August 2014
The Manatee Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) made a surprise presentation during a recent Manatee County Veterans Council meeting. Mantee Chapter members presented Don Courtney, Chairman of the Manatee County Veterans Council, with a Community Service Award. As chairman of the Manatee County Veterans Council, Don is responsible for leading this coalition of independent veteran’s organizations to foster fraternal relations amongst all veterans, create and maintain a greater public awareness and interest in veterans service to the community, to provide a forum for the identification and discussion of issues and actions that impact veterans and their families and to inform veterans/families on matters affecting veterans.
“The National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution, encourages us to recognize those individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the community. For Manatee Chapter, this was a no brainer! ”Several letters of recommendation were written in support of this award. Larry Bustle, County Commissioner stated “Manatee County citizens, and especially Manatee County veterans, owe Don Courtney a large debt of gratitude for his community involvement and his successful efforts to make Manatee County a better place for all and a community that is proud of the sacrifices of its veterans.” W. Brad Steube, Sheriff wrote, “I believe that Mr. Courtney’s record proves him to be an outstanding citizen and I hope you will find him worthy of an award from the Daughters of the American Revolution”.
Our chapter supported “Paws for Patriots” through Southeast Guide Dogs, Inc. We raised funds in support of “Paws for Patriots” our State Regent’s project in 2012.
Dear Manatee Chapter, Thank you for your caring gift of $250 designated for the Keith G. Hirst 90-Day Challenge. And because of the matching challenge presented by Keith G. Hirst, your gift has now been doubled! We’d like to say a double “thank you, thank you” for this generous contribution. We appreciate your friendship with Southeastern Guide Dogs. You’re helping to change lives, and for that we think you’re pretty amazing. Warm regards, Titus Herman, Chief Executive Officer – 7/23/2013
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Site updated on 12/30/2023