Regent Velda Jo Bradley was hostess for the January 19 meeting of the Okemah Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution at Pepino’s Restaurant in Okemah.
After the opening ritual and business session, Jenny Cody-Knopp of Oklahoma City and daughter of member Margaret Parks was given the oath of membership by Chaplain Susan Barnett, sworn in as a new member and welcomed as a new member by Regent Velda Bradley.
Vice Regent Ann Jackson gave a very informative presentation on the creation and adoption of the POW flag, which has become the only flag other than the Stars and Stripes to fly over the White House in Washington, D. C.  On Aug. 10, 1990, Congress passed U. S. Public Law 101-355, designating the POW/MIA flag as:  “The symbol of our Nation’s concern and commitment to resolving as fully as possible the fates of Americans still prisoner, missing and unaccounted for in Southeast Asia.”  By the end of the Vietnam War, more than 2,500 service members were listed by the Department of Defense as Prisoner of War (POW) or Missing in Action (MIA).
The remaining part of the meeting was spent completing the yearly Chapter Master Report with members reporting their many hours of volunteer community service.  Last year the DAR celebrated 125 years of service to America and through the Celebrate America initiative gave back to our communities and reached our goal of 12.5 million hours of volunteer service.  
 The next meeting will be hosted by Ann Jackson Feb. 16, 2016, at 11:30 a.m. at Pepino’s Restaurant in Okemah.  The program, “Alexander Hamilton,” will be given by Ann Jackson.  Remember to bring gifts for veterans.
Members present were Geneva Bertges, Gene Meredith, Judy Williams, Judith Drennan, Margaret Parks, Rebecca Hold, Ann Jackson, Mary June Cashman, Dorothy Burden,  Sherry Case,  Susan Barnett, Sheldon Starr, Carol Musik, LuCretia Harkey, Jenny Cody-Knopp, and hostess, Regent Velda Jo Bradley.
Any woman 18 years old or older who can prove she is descended from a Revolutionary War Soldier or Patriot is eligible to join the Daughters of the American Revolution.  Prospective members are welcome to attend our chapter meetings.  Contact Regent Velda Jo Bradley, 918-623-1550 for assistance.  More information is available on the DAR website, www.dar.org.