By JF Grodeska
MIDDLETOWN – On a chilly Sunday morning, the Shrewsbury Towne-Monmouth Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution placed “Wreaths Across America” at Fairview Cemetery. Wreaths Across America’s ongoing mission is to Remember (our fallen veterans), Honor (those who served) and Teach (children the value of freedom). It is carried out by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery and more than 3,700 additional locations in all 50 states, at sea and abroad.
Wreaths Across America remembers and honors military men and women from the Revolutionary War to present day conflicts.
Overall, 152 wreaths were placed at Fairview Cemetery, including a monument to U.S. Naval veterans.
According to its website, “Shrewsbury Towne Chapter was organized on 12 January 1935 with Pauliene Mattenlee (Mrs. James H. Mattenlee) as Regent and Helen R. Borden (Mrs. Charles F. Borden) as Vice Regent. The name Shrewsbury Towne was chosen to honor the town where the chapter was organized. Shrewsbury, Monmouth County, New Jersey was settled in 1662 and was named in honor of Shrewsbury, England.”
The Monmouth Chapter and the Shrewsbury Towne Chapter merged April 17, 2004 under the National Society DAR to become the Shrewsbury Towne-Monmouth Chapter.
The Shrewsbury Towne-Monmouth Chapter provides the community with a variety of programs honoring veterans and patriots, as well as making history come alive for school children and adults alike.
Aside from commemorative events revolving around the Fourth of July, Memorial Day and the upcoming America 250 anniversary, the local chapter of the DAR offers a history essay contest to students in fifth through eighth grades in public, private or parochial schools and those home schooled.
In addition, “each year the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) awards multiple scholarships to students showing dedication to the pursuit of higher education in diverse areas of study including history, economics, law, political science, medicine, nursing, occupational and physical therapy, elementary and secondary education, chemistry, math, science, and English.”
The DAR is much more than a Revolutionary War genealogy club. They provide something of interest to everyone and a variety of services to the community.
The article originally appeared in the January 5 – 11, 2023 print edition of The Two River Times.
