Piestewa Peak Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 24, 2020

DAR Members Place Flags to Honor Soldiers 

Phoenix, AZ – Members of the Piestewa Peak Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), placed flags on the graves of soldiers at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona and Greenwood Memorial Cemetery.  “The American military has served this country since the American Revolution.” said Regent Joyce Bertilson of the Piestewa Peak Chapter.  “As we observe this Memorial Day, it is humbling to reflect on those who paid the ultimate sacrifice by giving their lives to protect our freedoms.”  

           In addition, and in support of the DAR historic preservation mission, the chapter arranged for the planting of two trees at the Pioneer and Military Memorial Park, founded in 1884.  A donation was also presented to the Pioneer Cemetery Association for renovation efforts within the historic Smurthwaite House. Built in 1897, it is located on the grounds of the Memorial Park at 1313 W. Jefferson St and serves as the visitor’s center.  

    The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution was founded in 1890 to promote historic preservation, education and patriotism. Its members are descended from the patriots who won American independence during the Revolutionary War.  

     Piestewa Peak Chapter was established in 2016 as one of Arizona’s 41 active DAR chapters. The chapter is named after Piestewa Peak, the second highest point in the Phoenix Mountains. The Peak was named for Specialist Lori Ann Piestewa, a U.S. Army Quartermaster Corps Soldier and member of the Hopi Tribe in northeastern Arizona, who was killed in Iraq on March 23, 2003. She was the first female Native American Soldier killed in overseas combat.

     With nearly 185,000 members in approximately 3,000 chapters worldwide, DAR is one of the world’s largest and most active service organizations.  DAR members are committed to volunteer service having served more than 12.5 million hours in communities throughout the world during the past three years.  To learn more about the work of today’s DAR, visit www.DAR.org or connect with DAR on social media at instagram.com/piestewapeakdar,  facebook.com/TodaysDAR, twitter.com/TodaysDAR and youtube.com/TodaysDAR.