Shepherdstown – Shepherdstown Pack Horse Ford Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) celebrated 109 years of service during its annual birthday luncheon at The Sycamore at Stonebridge restaurant in Martinsburg on Saturday, Feb. 15. Despite the burst of rain, sleet, and snow, attendees braved the storm and enjoyed a delightful lunch and interesting program. Historian Kathy Klein decorated all the tables with an arrangement of roses, flowers, and greenery. Chaplain Kathy Sholl placed Valentines and candy kisses at each place setting.

The chapter was honored to welcome Eastern District Director Margaret “Margie” Ways. Members who attended included Regent Cindy Nicewarner, Second Vice Regent Rosalind Grenfell, Chaplain Kathy Sholl, Historian Kathy Klein, Darla Ambrose, Susan Benson, Emilie Pratt, Leslie Genovese, Judi Yost, Martha Wiseman, Mary Jane Jones, Patty Stealey and Ann Hunter. Other attendees included Associate members Sally Ann Greenfield and Sylvia Rhodes, and guests Mike Benson, Larry Ambrose, Evan Pratt, and Robin Fell.

Regent Cindy Nicewarner opened the luncheon with the ritual and Chaplain Kathy Sholl gave the blessing. Regent Cindy Nicewarner introduced the speaker, Mike Benson. Benson currently serves as the president of the General Adam Stephen Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR). He is also the husband of Pack Horse Ford Chapter member Susan Benson. The couple moved to the area about 10 years ago from Minnesota.They lived in a number of places in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic area in Mike’s 31-year career as an executive for the US Postal Service. They moved back to this direction in 2015 to be closer to their grown children and grandkids. Benson is heavily involved in planning for this year’s Bee Line March 250th Anniversary Celebrations.

Benson presented a program providing details of the upcoming local events for the Bee Line March 250th Anniversary Celebration. The planning started nine months ago. The Bee Line March is the account of a regiment of 100 Berkeley County men led by Captain Hugh Stephenson, the Berkeley County Riflemen, and a regiment of 100 men from Frederick County led by Captain Daniel Morgan, who marched 600 miles to Cambridge, Massachusetts in only 24 days. Once there, the brave men from our area helped to expel the British from Boston.

There are a number of exciting planned events, including a parade on June 14, starting at Morgan’s Grove Park and proceeding to Elmwood Cemetery, both in Shepherdstown. The Shepherdstown Pack Horse Ford Chapter will hold a wreath-laying ceremony on June 14 at 11 a.m. The public is cordially invited. On that same day at Morgan’s Grove Park, there will be musket and drill presentations by Revolutionary War Militia. Uniformed SAR members, children’s games, BBQ and more are planned.

Regent Cindy Nicewarner reviewed the chapter’s history. The chapter was organized in Shepherdstown on George Washington’s birthday on Feb. 22, 1916, by Anna “Pink” Chapline Phillips. On Feb. 20, 2016, Pack Horse Ford Chapter celebrated its 100-year-old-birthday. On that date, the candle-lighting ceremony had 10 candles, one for each decade. In 2017, Regent Kathy Sholl began the annual tradition of lighting three candles, each candle to represent the past, present, and future. Cheryl Brown provides the silver candelabra each year. Cindy Jones Nicewarner was the chapter historian from 2013-2019, and she wrote the candle lighting ceremony.

Historian Kathy Klein led the candle lighting ceremony. She read the poem, “Pack Horse Ford” by Grace Yoke White, the eighth Chapter Regent.

“Pack Horse Ford, with its white-flecked waves,

Still bubbles and sparkles, while in their graves

The boys so true, with love that knew

No other command but to dare and do,

Lie asleep on the hill where the violets grew.

I love the place in the river wide

Where the soldiers crossed from the other side;

The trees that bend to the water’s edge;

The flowers that grew on the mossy ledge.

Pack Horse Ford, with your white-flecked- waves,

I love you for the help you gave.”

Candle 1: The Past – Read by Patty Stealey

We begin this ceremony with the lighting of the first candle representing our chapter’s past. Eighteen women met at founding Chapter Regent Anna Chapline Phillip’s house on King Street here in Shepherdstown on George Washington’s Birthday in 1916 and they lit a flame that continues to burn after 100 years.

We dedicate this candle to the memory of all the women who went before us. In the words of our 9th Chapter Regent, Gladys Link Hartzell, “Today we remember those who walk with us no more—those who were a part of the foundation of our lives today; those far-sighted women whose vision was the beginning of our Society. We remember the forces of good, responsible for this century of patriotic service offered by Pack Horse Ford’s membership”.

With gratitude and appreciation, we give thanks for the founders, leaders and faithful members who laid the foundations, held fast to the vision and stayed the course, ever loyal and generous. Our roots are rich and deep!

Candle 2: The Present – Read by Leslie Genovese

The second candle represents our chapter’s present, and we dedicate this candle to our current chapter members who continue the tradition of service begun by our founders. Working together, we take advantage of opportunities to make a lasting impact in our towns, state and nation. We provide service to veterans, mark graves, place historical markers, provide scholarships, assist with naturalization ceremonies, conduct American History student essay contests, award JROTC medals, sponsor the Henrietta Bedinger Lee Society, Children of the American Revolution, promote Constitution Week and so much more. We wave flags, we wear flags, we distribute flags. We celebrate, commemorate, and participate. Together we make a difference. Together we make our world a better place.

Candle 3: The Future — Read by Rosalind Grenfell

The third candle represents our chapter’s future, and we dedicate this candle to the next generation of women walking in our footsteps. May we mentor these women well so that they will continue the legacy, so they will protect and nurture the flame we ourselves have carried. May they guard the memory and heritage of our Revolutionary War patriot ancestors. The next generation will face great challenges. The next generation will need loyal and faithful and vigilant Daughters.

And so, we are united in purpose with those who walked before us and those who follow after us. We are united with these women across the generations. The flame once lit is carried and passed on.

Today we commemorate and celebrate one hundred and eight years of Pack Horse Ford Chapter—our history, our heritage and our accomplishments. Now we look forward to the path before us and bravely step into the future, strong in faith, confident in purpose, united in love with hearts full of gratitude. Today, with our flame burning brightly, we continue the legacy of our sisters. Together we build on our first one hundred and seven years!

DAR members come from a variety of backgrounds and interests, but we all share a common bond of having an ancestor who helped contribute to securing the independence of the U.S.A. Any woman 18 years or older, regardless of race, religion or ethnic background who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution, is eligible to join. With more than 183,000 members in approximately 3,000 chapters worldwide, DAR is one of the world’s largest and most active service organizations.

If you would like to learn more about the Pack Horse Ford Chapter, or perhaps join our chapter, contact Regent Cindy Nicewarner at cnicewarner@gmail.com. To learn more about the work of today’s DAR, visit www.DAR.org.