(WASHINGTON, D.C.)  The nation’s capital will welcome more than 3,500 members of one of its foremost service organizations this week with the arrival of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) for their 122nd annual Continental Congress. Highlights of the week-long event will include welcoming respected keynote speakers and award winners during the gala evening ceremonies. Guest speakers for the opening night ceremonies will be antique expert, Leigh Keno, who will be receiving the DAR Historic Preservation Recognition Award, and Rich Little, comedian and voice actor, who will be receiving the DAR Americanism Award given to distinguished naturalized citizens.

On National Defense Night, an evening that honors our Nation’s military personnel and veterans, the keynote address will be delivered by Vice Admiral Robin R. Braun, US Navy, Chief of Navy Reserve, Commander, Navy Reserve Force. Lieutenant General Claude “Mick” Kicklighter, US Army (Ret.), Director, DoD Vietnam War 50th Anniversary Commemoration, will provide remarks about the upcoming efforts of the commemoration program. Additional awards that evening will be presented to the Army Nurse of the Year and outstanding volunteers for veterans.

The Gala Awards Banquet will honor Ambassador John Limbert with the Medal of Honor, actress Connie Stevens will be presented with the Founders Medal for Patriotism and DAR Media Awards will honor the films Honor Flight and Girl Rising. During the week, the DAR will also honor the Outstanding Teacher of American History, DAR American history essay contest winners and exceptional high school scholars.

"It's inspiring to see more than 3,500 members travel to Washington to celebrate the accomplishments of the past year to preserve the past, enhance the present and invest in the future," said Merry Ann T. Wright, President General. "Attendees show great enthusiasm to participate in seminars and workshops during the conference to enhance their work of promoting historic preservation, education and patriotism back in their communities. The reports given at our Continental Congress make it clear that the DAR is playing an important role in cities and towns across America."

The DAR Continental Congress is a time-honored tradition that has been held in Washington, D.C. as the annual national meeting of the membership since the organization’s founding. National, state and chapter leaders as well as other members from across the country and around the world meet at the DAR National Headquarters to report on the year’s work, honor outstanding award recipients, plan future initiatives and reconnect with friends. The week-long convention consists of business sessions, committee meetings, and social functions, and is topped off with four formal evening ceremonies at which national DAR award winners are honored.

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The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution was founded in 1890 to promote historic preservation, education and patriotism. Its members are descended from the patriots who won American independence during the Revolutionary War. With more than 175,000 members in approximately 3,000 chapters worldwide, DAR is one of the world's largest and most active service organizations. To learn more about the work of today's DAR, visit www.DAR.org or www.youtube.com/TodaysDAR.