Montana's DAR Markers . . . Honoring Where History Was Made

It was a “reverent ceremony” in 1977 in which participated four
New York DAR members–New York State Director Districts I and II
Mrs. Herbert P. Poole, Battle Pass Chapter Regent Miss Ethel E.
Probst, New Netherland Chapter Regent Mrs. Royal M. Bechwith, and
New York City Chapter Regent Mrs. Morris Young. Also attending
were Mr. R. Gordon Wasson of Danbury, Connecticut (Mrs. Wasson’s
only surviving son) and Mr. Royal Bechwith.
The Montana delegation to the ceremony were Montana State
Regent Miss E. Lorene Burks (presiding), Montana State Secretary
Mrs. Thomas Murray, Past Vice President General Miss Marjorie
Stevenson, Shining Mountain Chapter Regent Mrs. Jess T. Schwidde,
past Shining Mountain Chapter Regent Mrs. Eugene E. Taber, and
Julia Hancock Chapter Regent Mrs. Henry McVey.
Mrs. Jess T. Schwidde opened the ceremony, saying:
Remember the past is conserving strength for the future. As we look
at history, we know that we need today–not a show of greatness, not
a parade of power, not a recital of our capacities–but more and more
a spirit of fervent gratitude; and again and again, a consecration of
our own selves to the achievement of great ideals. We are the heirs of
high endeavor; ere long we too shall belong to the past. Let us now
with quiet and grateful hearts remember before God the dearly
beloved dead. They have left our earthly companionship but still they
live within our hearts. The remembrance of them is dear and blessed.
After State Regent Miss E. Lorene Burks unveiled the bronze
plaque, Mrs. Herbert P. Poole, on behalf of the New York State Society
DAR, next spoke, saying,
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