WASHINGTON, DC – 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 124th annual Continental Congress. Highlights of the week-long event will include welcoming respected keynote speakers and award winners during the gala evening ceremonies. DAR is celebrating the 125^th anniversary of its founding this year. As members celebrate 125 years of service to America, DAR continues to be an active a vibrant women’s service organization focused on promoting historic preservation, education and patriotism. During the 124^th Continental Congress, there will be special events to commemorate this milestone anniversary, including the Opening Night Ceremony, which will highlight the organization’s history. 

On National Defense Night, an evening that honors our nation’s military personnel and veterans, the distinguished speakers will be Lt. Gen. Michelle D. Johnson, Superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy; Colonel Lee Ellis, U.S. Air Force (Ret.), distinguished veteran, and a former POW; Diane Carlson Evans, president of the Vietnam Women’s Memorial Foundation; and J.R. Martinez, actor, author, motivational speaker, spokesperson and former U.S. Army soldier who served in Iraq in 2003. Additional awards that evening will be presented to the Army Nurse of the Year, the Margaret Cochran Corbin Award for distinguished women in military service and outstanding volunteers for veterans.

Other honorees recognized during the week-long event include Geoffrey C. Ward, historical documentary writer and Andrew O’Shaughnessy author of, The Men Who Lost America: British Leadership, the American Revolution, and the Fate of the Empire. Exceptional students and those committed to education, such as the national American History Essay Contest winners, the DAR Good Citizens, the American History Scholarship winner and the Outstanding Teacher of American History, will be acknowledged as well.

"It's inspiring to welcome thousands of members to Washington to celebrate the accomplishments of the past year and our 125^th anniversary," said Lynn F. Young, President General. "Not only will our members reflect on our 125-year history during special events, we will also plan for the future of the organization during committee forums and business sessions. There has never been a more exciting time to be part of our vibrant women’s service organization."

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 formal evening ceremonies at which national DAR award winners are honored.

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 180,000 members in approximately 3,000 chapters worldwide, DAR is one of the world's largest and most active service organizations. Commitment to volunteer service is a cornerstone of the organization and a highlight of the administration of President General Lynn Young. DAR members contributed close to 10 million community service hours since 2013. To learn more about the work of today's DAR, visit www.DAR.org or connect with DAR on social media at facebook.com/TodaysDAR, twitter.com/TodaysDAR and youtube.com/TodaysDAR