american – Deanna Bonn

DAR Places Patriots Marker

The Susannah French Putney Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) hosted a dedication of the “DAR America 250 Our Patriots Marker” at the Butler County Freedom Memorial. The event was sponsored by the Kansas Society Daughters of the American Revolution (KSDAR).

The Patriots Marker shown above on the East facing side of the statue’s base.

Kansas State Regent, Susan Metzger and other KSDAR State Officers attended the dedication to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the United States of America in dedicating Kansas’ first “DAR America 250 Our Patriots Marker.”

Nancy Gordon, left, Regent of the Susannah French Putney Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and Susan Metzger, State Regent of the Kansas Society Daughters of the American Revolution dedicated the Patriots Marker.

The marker was placed on the base of the replica Statue of Liberty located on the courthouse lawn.

“The Butler County Freedom Memorial is a fitting home to our state’s first DAR America 250 Our Patriots marker,” said KSDAR State Regent Susan Metzger. “Through a variety of moving and historic plaques and statues, this memorial pays homage to the men and women who have served our nation since its founding. KSDAR is proud that this DAR marker will now be a part of this memorial. My sincere appreciation is extended to Brad Cool and the Freedom Memorial Board for their support”

Cool and the Freedom Memorial Board helped the DAR organize the dedication and marker placement on the statue.

The statue is part of the Butler County Freedom Memorial and sits on the west side of the courthouse lawn while the memorial’s focal point, a large bronze eagle, resides on the east side and connecting the two are memorial sidewalks.

The Butler County Historic Courthouse overlooks the Freedom Memorial

Due to pending rain, the ceremony was moved inside the Carlson Colonial and Kirby Morris Funeral Home. The ceremony was opened by the Kansas Society Sons of the American Revolution (KSSAR) color guard.

Kansas Society Sons of the American Revolution Color Guard

During the dedication ceremony, Metzger recognized the Celebration of Freedom Committee and honored them for their efforts in creating and maintaining the Freedom Memorial.

Bill Mason, left, accepts the award from Nancy Gordon, Susan Metzger and Debbie Keplar.

Committee member Bill Mason accepted the award on behalf of the committee.

Metzger also recognized Boy Scout Gabriel Hamel and cited his Eagle Scout project that will be added to the statue base opposite the marker. Nancy Gordon Regent of the Susannah French Putney Chapter presented Hamel with the DAR Citizenship medal and award.

From left to right, Nancy Gordon, Susan Metzger, Gabriel Hamel and Scout Master Frank Williams.

Following the ceremony, the KSSAR laid wreaths at the memorial to pay tribute to the Patriots of the Revolutionary War.

Wreaths laid by the delegation of the Kansas Society of the Sons of the American Revolution

KSSAR delegates bowing in honor and respect.

The DAR National Society’s goal is to raise awareness of the courage and sacrifice of the Patriots who won America’s independence through the “DAR America 250 Patriots Marker” by placing at least one marker in every state in advance, and in celebration of the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary on July 4, 2026.

According to the National Society, “The program has been established to honor the memory of the men and women with whom we have a sacred compact to ensure that these United States of America continue as a government of the people, by the people, for the people. It is also designed to raise appreciation amongst current and future generations of Americans of our Patriots’ sacrifice for their benefit.”

Celebrating Teachers

The American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) Unit #81 in El Dorado first delivered apples to teachers in February for Valentine’s Day but were only able to take them to the elementary schools due to the winter storm.

This past week they were able to finish their mission of delivering apples to all the teachers in the El Dorado school district when they took apples to El Dorado Middle School and El Dorado High School.

EHS Principal Bruce Lolling, center, with apples for the teachers from American Legion Auxiliary members Karen Hasting, left, and Virginia Ball, right.

“We know they have had a rough year, so we wanted to let them know that we appreciate them,” said Karen Hasting, member of the ALA Unit #81.

Margie Jordan and Kristy Bieberle hold the apples brought to EMS by American legion Auxiliary members Karen Hasting, left and Virginia Ball, right.

Each basket was filled with gala apples, one for every teacher at each school, and attached to each apple was a note that said “You are the apple of our eye.”

The ALA Unit meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 5:00 p.m. at the American Legion George Ball Bingo Hall in El Dorado. All members are encouraged to attend as well as those wishing to learn more about the organization.

The American Legion Auxiliary is an organization of male and female spouses, grandmothers, mothers, sisters, and direct and adopted female descendants of members of The American Legion. Some are also veterans.

American Legion Auxiliary

Afghan Fundraiser

The Captain Edgar Dale American Legion Auxiliary Unit #81 held a fundraiser raffle to benefit their veteran’s programs. The prize was a beautifully crocheted afghan made and donated by Donna Church.

The lucky recipient of the afghan was Wendy Michael.

Wendy Michael received the afghan donated by Donna Church.

“This project was created to help raise money for the Auxiliary to give to the veterans,” said Unit #81 Member, Karen Andersen.

The members of the American Legion Auxiliary participate in a variety of fundraising efforts that allow them to serve the local veteran population and their families. These programs directly and indirectly touch the lives of all Americans.

Local programs include the Poppy Program, Troop Care Packages, Christmas Gift Shops, Girl’s State, College Scholarships and many others.

“The American Legion Auxiliary is a patriotic service organization, with more that 900,000 members world-wide,” according to the national organization.

“With the philosophy of ‘Service, not Self’ the American Legion Auxiliary develops a strong spirit of volunteerism in its members who have joined together in the fellowship of giving to others,” according to the organization.

To learn more about the American Legion Auxiliary Unit #81 and its membership opportunities, please contact the Captain Edgar Dale Post #81 at (316) 321-3767 or visit the American Legion Auxiliary, Department of Kansas website at www.kslegionaux.org.

Benefit Breakfast and Cornhole Tournament

The American Legion Family is truly one big family and that family came together to support one of its own — the Glaves family. Legionnaire and Rider, Rick Glaves’ youngest son, Jeff, died tragically last month in a car accident.

Due to a preexisting medical condition, Jeff was unable to obtain life insurance. Numerous friends and community members have made contributions to help provide for final expenses and establish educational funds for his children, Laynie, Cole and Jesse.

Clockwise from back, Rick Glaves, Kathy Glaves, Cole Glaves, Laynie Glaves and Jesse Glaves.

But the American Legion Captain Edgar Dale Post #81 wanted to do more, so they organized a Benefit Biscuit and Gravy Breakfast and Cornhole Tournament with proceeds going to the Glaves fundraiser.

Full and half orders of biscuits and gravy was served with coffee, juice and water.

According to Steve Seymour, Post Commander, “Rick Glaves is a member and officer of the American Legion and we wanted to do this for his grandchildren.”

“This is what we do,” said Seymour. “We take care of our members, children and youth and this was the right time to do it.”

While the Legion is known for hosting Bingo on Friday and Saturday nights, they have been discussing the possibility of hosting Cornhole tournaments for about a year and a fundraiser tournament was the perfect way to kick them off.

“We will start holding tournaments on Saturdays, and that will be announced in the future,” said Seymour.

DAR and Flinthills Donation

The Susannah French Putney Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution
(DAR) partnered with Flinthills Elementary 4th grade students to give snacks and notes to show appreciation to the Butler County Sheriff’s Department.

“The National Daughters of the American Revolution has a Service Day to volunteer in
the community and honor other groups who do volunteer work,” said Teresa Bachman, DAR member. “We are giving the Sheriff’s Department here in Butler County snacks to say ‘thank you’ for everything they do.”

Letter and drawings from Flinthills 4th grade students accompanied the snacks from the DAR.

Interim Captain Patrick Light, accepted the donation on behalf of the Sheriff’s Office.
“We want to thank Flinthills 4th grade students for their support,” Light said.