MADISON — Members of the Eunice Farnsworth-Ruth Heald Cragin Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution recently met at the Old Point Facility. Two new members, Maryilyn Dunlap and Mary Lou Holden Mollerus attended; one pending member, Cheryl West, whose application is in the process of being verified; and one prospective member Nancy Drew. The registrar reported several applications are being processed at the chapter level; with one nearing the final stage before being submitted to the registrar general in Washington.

Regent Kathy Palmer opened the meeting, following the president general’s message from Merry Ann T. Wright, “Give Thanks and Reflect During this Season of Celebration” as well as reports from the treasurer and secretary. The National Defense message was read by Chairman Linda Miller from the FRA Today magazine, “House Passes New Stolen Valor Act.” The House passed a modified Stolen Valor Act (H.R. 1775) in response to a U.S. Supreme Court decision handed down in July. The court declared the original “Stolen Valor Act of 2005” unconstitutional, saying that false claims of military service and awards were protected as free speech. The bill establishes a more narrow focus and would make it a crime to lie about having received decorations with the intent of obtaining anything of value. Correspondence was read by the secretary, Lena Arno. The regent spoke to the members about committee reporting and committee guidelines for being credited with participation when filling out the annual Master Questionnaire in January.

A motion was introduced by Linda Miller to establish a slush fund to cover the occasional expense of paying dues for a member who is terminally ill or in need of monetary assistance, etc.

The regent asked the members their opinion about changing either the Saturday of the month or the time of day for next November’s meeting to allow program speaker Carolyn Kelly to speak on “DAR Service for Veterans.” It was decided to change the meeting to the first Saturday of the month at the regular meeting time. Yearbook Chairman Linda Miller will begin printing the new yearbooks to hand out soon.

The program was presented by Lena Arno, DAR Service to Veterans Chairman. She spoke about the donations that the veterans at Togus need. Each year, chapter makes donations from the wish list provided by Togus and delivers them.

Shirley Emery, chapter member and co-owner and operator of the new Vets R Us shelter for homeless veterans in Madison that will open in the coming months, said that she plans to open a sewing room at the shelter soon so that volunteers can come in and sew, knit, crochet, etc. items for the veterans such as lap robes and bibs. Volunteers will be needed. Tax deductible donations may be sent to Camden National Bank designated for Vets R Us for equipping the shelter with beds, etc.

For more information, call 628-3684.