John Alden Chapter DAR

06/02/2026

Education is one of the Mission areas of the Daughters of the American Revolution. The John Alden Chapter is pleased to support education and literacy this summer with the donation of 13 prize baskets for summer reading programs. These baskets meet the levels of each library's reading program. Baskets were made up for adults, teens, tweens and children. The library reading programs these have been donated to are the Grace A. Dow Library, Coleman Public Library, Beaverton Branch Library and the Auburn Area Branch Library.

05/27/2026

John Alden member Laura Varhola was the featured speaker at the Midland, MI Memorial Day Ceremony. Laura is a retired Army Colonel. Her talk was about all generations who served and their connection to the Midland Community. This video has a short glitch, just wait and it comes back. Here is the YouTube link.

Laura Varhola speaks at the 2026 Memorial Day Ceremony in Midland, MI

05/27/2026

The Daughters of the American Revolution have a mission of Patriotism. Memorial Day weekend is a time of reflection and honor. It is also an occasion to honor America 250! The John Alden Chapter was involved in four separate events over the weekend either participating or leading. Saturday, May 23rd we were at the Sanford Centennial Museum for a Tribute to the Fallen. We then lead a public reading of the Declaration of Independence. Chapter members and community representatives each read a section Guests were then invited to sign a copy of the Declaration to recommit themselves. Monday, May 25th started in downtown Midland for the Wreath Laying ceremony by the courthouse. Our Regent laid the chapter wreath. Member Laura Varhola, a retired Army Colonel was the featured speaker. In the afternoon, we were in the Sanford Village parade! We were passing out flags, patriotic bracelets and lots of candy! At the end of the day, we took a quiet moment for ourselves to honor and thank our American Revolution Patriots at the America 250 Marker we dedicated last year. Here is a selection of pictures from the weekend.

05/24/2026

John Alden Chapter invites you to our Memorial Day events. on Monday, May 25th. First is the Midland County Wreath Ceremony at 9:00 am at the Veterans Memorial by the Midland County Courthouse. Our member, Laura Varhola will be the featured speaker. Then come out to Sanford in the afternoon! We will be in the Sanford parade at 1:00 pm which goes straight down Saginaw Rd from the Lutheran Church to the ball diamonds. Following the parade there will be a memorial at the Flagpole monument which is on the rail trail across from the ball diamonds. When it finishes, John Alden Chapter hopes to have our own memorial to our Patriots at our Patriot Marker. Please join us as we spend the day honoring and remembering.

05/23/2026

On May 23rd the John Alden Chapter held a joint event with American Legion Post 443, the Blue Star Mothers and the Sanford Centennial Museum. It included a Tribute to the Fallen by the American Legion followed by a public reading of the Declaration of Independence by the John Alden Chapter. Here is a video of the entire event courtesy of the Sanford Centennial Museum.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/2142681186308722/

05/21/2026

John Alden Chapter hopes you can join us in Sanford, MI this Saturday, May 23rd at the Sanford Centennial Museum. One of the primary missions of the Daughters of the American Revolution is Historic Preservation, another is Patriotism. This day has both! The Chapter will be participating in the Fallen Veterans Memorial by presenting a wreath. Following the ceremony, we will lead a public reading of the Declaration of Independence. But you can come out and make a day of it! There will be a pancake breakfast from 8 am -10 am, donation only. It is opening day with the buildings and grounds open at 10. On top of that there is a huge rummage sale! All benefits from the breakfast and the rummage sale go to the museum to help with upkeep and repair of the buildings (Historic Preservation). Come out and spend the day with us!

05/19/2026

John Alden member Laura Varhola will be the featured speaker at the Midland County Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 25th. It is held at the Midland Veterans Memorial by the Midland County Courthouse (301 W. Main St) at 9:00 am.

05/18/2026

Patriotism is one of the main missions of the Daughters of the American Revolution. This past weekend the John Alden Chapter Regent, who is a veteran of both the Army and the Air Force, joined with others to unfurl a giant flag at the Great Lakes Loons Stadium. This was to honor Armed Forces Day, It was coordinated by the Great Lakes Bay Veterans Coalition. 🇺🇸

05/17/2026

John Alden Chapter's first Memorial Day Weekend activity is the Sanford Veteran's Salute on Saturday, May 23rd (see previous post). Our chapter will be placing a wreath; a member will lead the National Anthem and following the wreath laying we will lead a reading of the Declaration of Independence. If you are in the area, please join us. Here is the program:

05/15/2026