DAR: PAST AND PRESENT PATRIOTS

Marianne Hughes is a woman of many talents. Don't let the apron fool you.

This is Marianne Hughes of Greensboro, Indiana. Marianne loves her truck, her husband, her cats, and her country. She is a historian, and is a most active member of the Sarah Winston Henry Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, based in New Castle.

Marianne is 5-feet tall, and here, she sports an apron as this afternoon was her day to set up refreshments at the DAR meeting in New Castle. Oh, but put a lid on your generalizations.

This woman is a MARINE. I say that in the present tense because there are no former Marines. Once you are a U.S. Marine, that you remain.

I knew Marianne for a long time before somehow it spilled out that she had served her country in this particular way. For years, I worked with her on articles about exhibits and projects having to do with the Henry County Historical Society, where she served for several years as executive director.

When I found out she is a Marine, I interviewed her about her service. Five years in the U.S. Marines, then eight in the Indiana National Guard. Like Patrick Henry's mother, Sarah Winston Henry, for whom the New Castle DAR Chapter was named 90 years ago this year, Marianne is a Patriot. You should see her interact with a veteran in a nursing home. Or how she puts American flags on graves that are needing them.

Marianne: I thank you for your service.

I thank Chapter Regent Stacey Rifner Sobat as well, for inviting me to be today's speaker. It was my pleasure. Stacey's great-great grandmother, Bertha Berry, was a charter member of this chapter 90 years ago.

Stacey now lives in Columbus but cheerfully makes her way monthly to New Castle to preside over this chapter which is dear to her heart. She is also an environmental manager with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.

Happy 90th birthday to the Sarah Winston Henry Chapter.