The nation's capital welcomed more than 3,000 members of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) for their 116th annual Continental Congress. The opening night ceremony’s keynote speaker was presidential historian Robert Norton Smith, scholar in residence at George Mason University. In attendance were Fayetteville's James Waldrop Chapter DAR members Betty Harrah and Carolyn Balog.

“It’s inspiring to see so many Daughters make the trip to Washington to celebrate their hard work and accomplishments during the past year,” said Presley Merritt Wagoner, president general. “The reports of our members’ enthusiastic dedication to historic preservation, education, and patriotism make it clear that DAR is playing an important role in cities and towns across the country.”

The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution was founded in 1890 to promote patriotism, preserve American history, and support better education for our nation's children. Its members are descended from the patriots who won American independence during the Revolutionary War. With more than 168,000 members in approximately 3,000 chapters worldwide, DAR is one of the world's largest and most active service organizations. DAR is also the publisher of the award-winning magazine “American Spirit.”