Local group wins second in national contest

The Byrd Settlement Society of the Children of the American Revolution was recently named the second most outstanding society in the nation for 2006-2007.

In March, the group entered a Gold Merit Award contest that documented its activities, which included a celebration of George Washington's 45th birthday at Valley Forge. The party was held at a farm in Bollinger County in February under conditions similar to those facing the troops at Valley Forge during the winter of 1777.

The Byrd Settlement Society received its award at the 36th annual Great Plains Regional meeting in Hannibal, Mo. Chandler Short of Cape Girardeau served as a personal page to Children of the American Revolution national president Katie Stanley. Pete Lake of Jackson and Karsten Short of Cape Girardeau served as aides for business sessions. Jack Lake of Jackson served as color bearer and carried the Missouri flag for all processions.

National and regional CAR officers visited Hannibal as part of a summer tour promoting the 2007 to 2008 National President's Project, "Leading the American Adventure." Members from Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota attended the meeting. Activities included business sessions, a tour of Mark Twain Cave, pizza party, banquet and dance and the award presentation.

The Children of the American Revolution, the oldest patriotic youth organization in the United States, is open to anyone under age 21 who is a lineal descendant of an individual who rendered aid to the cause of American independence.

The idea for a children's organization was presented to the Daughters of the American Revolution Continental Congress in 1895.

For more information, visit www.nscar.org or call Morgan Lake at 651-0681.