Beech Tree News Network

Butler County Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution presented their annual Flag Day program on Thursday, June 14 at 10:00 in the courthouse yard. Regent Lynda D. Knight welcomed everyone giving us informative background information, laced with heartfelt red,white, and blue patriotism, on Flag Day and the Flag. Lois Russ, BCNSDAR Flag Chairman and Dillon Faling from Boy Scout Troop 208 led the pledge after which Doug Odle sang the National Anthem.  Before doing so he expressed his disappointment that more people had not shown-up to celebrate this important date and how far we have come from the aftermath of Flag waving proud to be Americans on the days following 9-11.

From the reaction of those in attendance, Doug is not alone in his dismay at the lack of Americans patriotism. The BCNSDAR informs and reminds citizens of every holiday we have the chance to unfurl the grand ole flag and pay respect for what she stands for...

Georgia Laverne Romans, BCNSDAR Historian then led us in prayer after which Linda Tyree, School Counselor at Morgantown Elementary, spoke.

Ms. Linda Tyree is known for her patriotism. She organized the Flag Federation at Morgantown Elementary and was instrumental in the annual Veterans Day Program held at the High School.

As Ms Tyree expressed, Flag Day is not a federal holiday and there are no great sales to promote Fag Day as with other holidays. Banks are open, mail is delivered and schools are out for summer. If school was in, the children at Morgantown Elementary would be getting a great deal of information on our great flag and celebrating its birthday! As Ms Tyree explained many times when days do become federal holidays the children lose out and it becomes a sleep in morning and cartoon day. If theses same children had attended school they would have learned what that federal holiday meant. Along that line, she remarked that not too many people know when Flag Day is and, for that matter, why it is celebrated. Ms Tyree’s speech was eloquent and heart felt and we can understand why the children adore her.

The Flag Day program stirred the already bubbling patriotism of the BCNSDAR ladies, decked out in red white and blue, who piled in cars to head to Bowling Green and Cheddars for lunch, on a mission to promote awareness of Flag Day! When Damien, our server, came up to the table Regent Knight asked him what day this was, Damien answered its June 14. We all laughed and said it is Flag Day! From then on when Damien went up to a table he wished those seated a happy “Flag Day”! He even brought his manger over so we could tell her. On leaving Damien thanked us for informing him about Flag Day and said we had started his day off right!

Mission accomplished!  The ladies then headed to Western Kentucky Museum to view member June McGuyer’s Mother, Elizabeth Richardson's, collection of quilts. There is an insert with this article telling more about the collection and how it came about and how June McGuyer’s donation brought about the “Richardson Quilt Gallery” now a permanent Gallery on the museums third floor.

Sandy Stabel, Assistant Professor and registrar/collection curator, gave us an informative guided tour. She expressed how she had thought of doing something like this, but June McGuyer’s generous donation brought it about. We were all impressed with the beauty of the quilts and the labor of love that went into every stitch. Stabel said the exhibit would be open until sometime this fall.

For those interested, you may visit; wku.edu/library/disc/exhibits.php for more information. Ladies also toured the Civil War Exhibit and the Duncan Hines display.  A visit to the museum is well worth the trip and someplace not to miss when you have out of town company.

Everyone agreed it was a wonderful program, delightful lunch made even more enjoyable by Lois Russ with her game about “Mrs. Right and Mrs. Left” and their trip to Continental Congress and the guided tour by Curator, Sandy Stabel of the “Richardson Quilt Gallery” and added information from June McGuyer about her Mother and the quilts was a fitting end to Flag Day.

Friday, July 28 from 10:00-? the BCNSDAR will present a Genealogy Workshop at the Butler County Public Library in the meeting room. Check out newspapers and radio for more information. Our next meeting is Thursday, August 24 at the Butler County Public Library at 6:30. For any information on either of the above call Regent, Lynda D. Knight at 999-0273.

Submitted by Jane Eaton-Henderson