The women remembered beneath the stars and stripes

DAWSON — As Flag Day approaches, members of the Old Herod Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution will once again walk among the headstones of Cedar Hill Cemetery, placing American flags on the graves of deceased chapter members in a gesture that honors both their service to the organization and the enduring ideals represented by the nation’s flag.

Led by chapter member Kathy Hicks, the annual observance serves as a reminder that patriotism is not only expressed through celebration but also through remembrance.

In observance of Flag Day, chapter members will place flags at the graves of former DAR members, where they will remain through Independence Day as the nation continues preparations for the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The tradition reflects the organization’s longstanding commitment to historic preservation, education and patriotism.

“Examining history helps us better understand our nation’s long struggle to provide equality, justice and humanity for all Americans,” the Daughters of the American Revolution states in its national mission. “We recognize that the United States of America was built on the promise of equality for all, and we share an obligation to help our nation fulfill that founding promise.”

The American flag itself emerged from a nation still defining its identity. During the early days of the American Revolution, colonial militias fought under a variety of banners rather than a single national flag. In June 1775, the Continental Congress created the Continental Army, prompting efforts to establish a unifying symbol for the colonies. The result was the Continental Colors, a flag featuring 13 red and white stripes and the British Union Jack.

Two years later, on June 14, 1777, the Second Continental Congress adopted a resolution declaring that the flag of the United States would consist of 13 alternating red and white stripes and 13 white stars on a blue field representing a new constellation.

More than a century later, in 1916, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed June 14 as Flag Day, and Congress officially established the observance when President Harry S. Truman signed it into law in 1949.

For DAR members, those historical milestones are more than dates in a textbook. They are part of a living legacy.

Founded in 1890, the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution is a nonprofit lineage organization for women who can trace their ancestry to individuals who aided the cause of American independence. The organization has long focused on preserving historic sites, documenting local and national history, supporting education and promoting civic engagement.

At the local level, those efforts often take the form of cemetery preservation projects, historical marker programs, student recognition ceremonies and educational outreach.

Chapter members said honoring former members through the placement of flags helps connect today’s residents with the generations that came before them.

“When we place these flags, we’re not only remembering the women who helped build this chapter and preserve our local history,” one member said. “We’re also reminding ourselves that freedom, citizenship and community require stewardship.”

The event also highlights a challenge facing many civic and heritage organizations across the country: recruiting younger members.

Organizations such as the DAR, historical societies, garden clubs and civic groups were once sustained by generations of volunteers who often had greater flexibility to devote time to community service. Today, many younger women balance careers, family responsibilities and financial pressures that leave little time for volunteer organizations.

According to labor force data, women now make up nearly half of the American workforce, and in many households their income is essential to family financial stability. As a result, participation in traditional service organizations has declined nationwide.

DAR leaders say that reality makes preserving local history even more important.

Historical preservation, they argue, is about more than protecting old buildings or maintaining cemetery records. It is about ensuring that future generations understand how their communities were formed, who shaped them and what sacrifices were made along the way.

That mission resonates particularly as the United States approaches its 250th anniversary in 2026.

The flags placed at Cedar Hill Cemetery may be small, but chapter members say they represent something much larger — a visible connection between the nation’s founding ideals, the local citizens who carried them forward and the responsibility of future generations to remember.

As Americans observe Flag Day on June 14 and upcoming patriotic celebrations, members of the Old Herod Chapter say they hope the sight of those flags fluttering among the cemetery’s historic graves will encourage residents to reflect on the history they inherited and the legacy they will leave behind.