October 15, 2022 marked the 40th anniversary celebration of the Sukey Hart Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. At the event, the remaining three organizing members were recognized by current Chapter Regent Cynthia Davis. Charter member and National Executive Officer Virginia Lingelbach, who joined within the first year of the chapter’s organization, was also recognized.

The anniversary celebration took place at the Assembly of God Church in Warner Robins.Those in attendanceincluded Sukey Hart members, DAR members from other chapters, and DAR State Officers.

Organized in 1982, the Sukey Hart Chapter has served the community in their unwavering dedication to historic preservation, education, and patriotism ever since. Jane Daniels, a previous member of the Hawkinsville Chapter, longed to continue her efforts with the DAR when her family relocated to Warner Robins. Jane wasted no time in establishing Sukey Hart Chapter. She worked as an RN and arranged the chapter’s meetings to take place at night to accommodate other working women such as herself.

With a handful of members and more soon to come, Sukey Hart Chapter held their organizing luncheon onOctober7, 1982 at Jane Daniel’s residence. The first official meeting was held on November 15, 1982 at the Robins Air Force Base Officer’s Club. These events marked the beginning of what has been a beautiful journey for this chapter.“

Forty years may not seem like a long time, but the future is built on the past,” says Chapter Regent Cynthia Davis. “We are moving forward in the beautiful legacy that our founding DAR members and organizing members of Sukey Hart Chapter have set for us in DAR service and friendship.”

To become a member of the DAR, a woman 18 or older must have a direct ancestor involved in some way with the Revolutionary War. Charter member Virginia Lingelbach shares her experience joining the Sukey Hart Chapter in 1983 shortly after it was founded.“

I had always sort of been the family historian and genealogist,” Virginia shares. “My sister called one day and said that her bridge club was going to form a DAR club in Warner Robins and asked if I would help her with her papers. I said, ‘Of course!’”

Virginia compiled the documents and family bibles she had collected over the years and set to working on her sister’s papers. However, the bridge club’s plans fell short. “I folded up everything and stuck it back in the box and went on,” Virginia recalls.

Sometime later, Virginia was invited to help grow the newly founded Sukey Hart Chapter. With her paperwork almost already done, she quickly completed the required work and was accepted on her first try in April 1983.

While her experience was a relatively uncomplicate done, Virginia talks about the great efforts women go through to prove the genealogy required in becoming a member. “It is a very involved process, a very detailed process, and it is very time consuming,” she says.

While the genealogy required by the DAR has always been thorough, it has become more extensive over the years. They now have 33 professional genealogists at their Washington headquarters who work full-time. And because more resources and documentation have become available throughout the years, they expect more in terms of proving applicants’ lineage.

For the first three generations, they require primary proof to include birth certificates, marriage certificates, and death records of each family member. As you can imagine, locating your great-grandparents’ marriage certificate is not the easiest thing to do. “That is daunting,” Virginia admits. “A lot of people don’t know how to go about getting those documents.”

Thankfully, the Sukey Hart Chapter is armed with women ready to assist prospective members in this process. And after the necessary paperwork has been completed, they eagerly welcome each new member with open arms.“

The DAR is the largest nonpolitical patriotic women’s service organization in the world,” Virginia states. Boasting 190,000 members, the organization has evolved from the traditional DAR that was created in the 1800s.“We observe and encourage diversity, which I think is a big change from the 30s and 40s,” Virginia shares.

The DAR has genealogical groups specifically devoted to minority genealogy. Through the years, it has grown to welcome and celebrate the participation of Indian American women, African American women, and Spanish American women. “In those respects, it’s not an organization for affluent white women,” Virginia clarifies. “It’s a service organization where we strive for diversity.”

The impact of the Sukey Hart Chapter on Warner Robins is specially tailored to the unique needs of the community. “Berry College in Rome, Georgia was the very first school supported by the DAR. I’m proud that Georgia daughters supported the first DAR school, ”Virginia says. To this day, the DAR is the longest supporter of Berry College.

The Sukey Hart Chapter focuses much of its attention on veterans who have fought to defend our rights. In their efforts to honor veterans nationwide, members raised $350,000 for the World War II Memorial in Washington, DC. In addition, the chapter participates in Wreaths Across America every year.

Regent Cynthia Davis speaks proudly for their ongoing support of military veterans. “We partner with the 50thVietnam War Commemoration that gives thanks in particular to Vietnam Veterans,” she says. “We support troops overseas and always try to give homemade Christmas cards and gifts to local veterans in nursing homes.”

In addition, Georgia has the very first historical property that was saved and preserved. The home belonged to George Walton who was one of Georgia’s three signers of the Declaration of Independence.

On a national level, Virginia says, “We own a building in Washington, DC that encompasses one full city block. It is the largest building in the world owned and maintained solely by women.” These are just some of many accomplishments the DAR has boasted over the years.

While participation in this organization seems intense, members are given the flexibility to be as involved in the day-to-day operation of the Sukey Hart Chapter as they please. But while participation in meetings and variousservice projects is entirely optional, each member must pay their annual dues to maintain their membership.“

We have a lot of members that are active on the active role but inactive in that they don’t participate in the projects and they rarely come to meetings,” Virginia explains. While some members participate less than others, Virginia assures me that all members have a special place in their heart for the beloved chapter.

Every moment spent contributing to the impactful work of the DAR is incredibly rewarding. Virginia’s own dedication to the DAR has inspired her sister, two daughters, and three granddaughters to join Sukey Hart Chapter.

A sweet family legacy, their work honors the family that came before them and stands to inspire the family yet to come.