On Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, a dedication ceremony for a memorial marker was held by two chapters of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), Rebecca Crockett and Martha Jefferson Randolph, at Leonard Park in Gainesville, Texas.
Joining two other war memorials at the park is now the Revolutionary War Patriot Marker, commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, which will take place on July 4, 2026. The planning for the Semiquincentennial celebration has been in the works since 2016, when a commission of both government members and citizens was appointed by President Obama. Sitting as the chair on this commission is Lynn Forney Young, an honorary President General of DAR from Texas.
The two chapters began discussions over the summer about a joint effort to purchase the marker and plan the dedication ceremony. Pam Dill, Regent of Rebecca Crockett in Gainesville and Cindie Vaughan, Regent of Martha Jefferson Randolph in Sherman, met with other members from both chapters to plan and organize the event.
The culmination of this celebration was on Saturday, where Texas State Regent, Susan Johnston, gave the keynote address, highlighting the events that led up to the Revolutionary War and emphasizing the need to be diligent to safeguard the freedoms we now enjoy. The motto of the DAR is God, Home and Country, with the focused areas of service being Education, Patriotism and Historic Preservation.
The marker reads:
“Revolutionary War Patriots - This marker Commemorates the men and women who achieved American independence. These patriots, each believing in the noble cause of liberty, valiantly strove to found a new nation. 1776-1783.”
Dedicated in 2025 by Rebecca Crockett Chapter and Martha Jefferson Randolph Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, in celebration of the 250th Anniversary of the United States.
Gainesville Mayor Tommy Moore summarized a proclamation regarding the marker and its importance to the community.
Janet Wagnon of Martha Jefferson Randolph and Edna Slater and Marilyn Wooldridge, members of Rebecca Crockett, gave insight into some of the more recognized patriots of the war effort. Well-known war patriot Martha Jefferson Randolph (daughter of Thomas Jefferson) and Mary Ball Washington (mother of the first President, George Washington) were the topic. The organizing Regent for the Martha Jefferson Randolph chapter was Anna Hotchkiss Gillespie, whose genealogy traces back to Thomas Jefferson, her first ancestor patriot.
Linda Moore from Rebecca Crockett gave the history of the America 250 commission and marker. The invocation was given by Lana Snowden, Chaplain of Rebecca Crockett and the Benediction and Blessing of the Marker was given by Rhetta Shultz of Martha Jefferson Randolph.
Debbie Kempe of Martha Jefferson Randolph and Shana Powell of Rebecca Crockett gave an abbreviated Patriot Roll Call of approximately 50 names from each chapter, out of the over 300 patriots represented by the two chapters.
The Red River Naval Sea Cadets provided the Color Guard for the Pledge of Allegiance led by Rosemary “Sam” Norman and the Pledge to the Texas Flag led by Susie Heflin, both retired veterans from Martha Jefferson Randolph. The singing of the Star Spangled Banner was led by local student, Kenzie Williams.
The ceremony was attended by about 60 people from the DAR chapters and the community.
Both chapters would like to thank the Gainesville City Council and Mayor Moore for their support and cooperation in the placement and installation of this marker.
DAR membership is open to women who are at least 18 years of age and who can prove lineal descent from an ancestor who helped the cause of independence during the American Revolution. If you are interested in joining dynamic women who love history, learning, helping others learn, their communities and this country and who devote themselves to preserving our past so that future generations have the opportunity to come to love it as well, please contact the Sherman Chapter at [email protected] or the Gainesville Chapter at [email protected].
Source: Freepik.com