Big Cypress Chapter, NSDAR Naples, Florida

06/14/2026

“Old Ironsides”

06/06/2026

They gave all…

On this day 82 years ago, 156,000 soldiers landed in Normandy and began the great invasion of Europe to set a continent free. We are forever in their debt and will never forget all those whose bravery and sacrifice changed the outcome of WW2. The young soldiers who stepped into the battle space on our shores 82 years ago gave us what we have today. They had life ahead of them, but gave their today for our tomorrow. Their heroism, service and courage that reverberated across the world stage will be remembered always. The 82nd Anniversary of this historic event is a momentous occasion to celebrate peace, liberty and reconciliation. Normandy will never forget 🙏

📷: I. Hendy / Normandy Tourism

05/04/2026

Members of Big Cypress Chapter were appreciative as we welcomed home and thanked veterans returning from Washington DC on Honor Flight Mission # 29 to FSW Airport.

04/05/2026

Happy Easter!

04/05/2026

Happy Passover.

03/14/2026

The first Cherry Trees in DC were planted in 1912.

11/12/2025

AMERICAN INDIAN MOMENT – GRACE THORPE
ROSIE, WAACS OFFICER, WW II, AMERICAN ENVIRONMENTALIST
NATIVE RIGHTS ACTIVIST

GRACE THORPE, born in 1921, was the youngest of four children born to the “all-American Athlete,” famed football player and Olympic athlete Jim Thorpe, and his wife Iva Miller. She was of
Potawatomi, Kickapoo, and Menominee heritage on her mother’s side and a direct descendant of Sac and Fox chief Black Hawk on her father's side.

As a young child she spent time in Chicago and California.
Grace attended St. Mary’s Academy and then transferred to her
father’s alma mater Haskell Indian School in Kansas.
After the war began, Grace felt the call to contribute and
In 1943, he was hired to work on the aircraft assembly line at Ford Motor Company’s Rouge plant in Michigan.

After four months at Rouge, Grace enlisted in the
Women’s Army Air Corps. She headed to Ft. Oglethorpe, Georgia, for training and then was assigned to WAC recruiting, which took her to Montana and Arizona. With her father’s fame following her wherever she went, many press photos of Grace at the time show her slinging the pigskin while in uniform.

Grace was posted overseas in 1944, where she was stationed in New Guinea, the Philippines, and Japan. Corporal Thorpe was later awarded the Bronze Star for her service in the Battle of New Guinea.

Following the end of the war, Thorpe remained in Japan and worked at General MacArthur’s headquarters as chief of the Recruitment Section, Department of Army Civilians.
She later attended the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and the Antioch School of Law and went on to become a tribal district court judge and health commissioner.

In late 1969 and 1970, Grace joined a group of Native activists on their island off the coast of San Francisco. This occupation called national attention to a long history of unaddressed Native grievances. In 1999, she received a Nuclear-Free Future Award for her opposition to storing toxic and radioactive waste on indigenous land.

SOURCES: “Native American Women and World War II.” National Museum of the American Indian, 1 Jan. 2020,
americanindian.si.edu/static/why-we-serve/topics/
native-women-and-world-war-2/. Accessed 24 Feb. 2025.
“Grace Thorpe: Rosie, WAC, and Activist.” National World War II Museum, 13 Nov. 2020,
www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/grace-thorpe-rosie-wac-activist

08/01/2025

Found this video on the Mt. Vernon Website on the history of "Presidents' Day". The Federal Holiday is actually by law still Washington's Birthday celebrating the Father of our Country.
Enjoy the viewing!🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

George Washington was born on February 22, 1732... or was he? Discover the complicated story behind George Washington's birth date and the truth about "Presi...

02/04/2025

During Lafayette’s grand Farewell Tour In 1824 as our “Nation’s Guest”, the United States was in the throes of a very contentious national Presidential election. The ‘Era of Good Feelings’ from the aftermath of the War of 1812, which was earmarked with a sense of national purpose and unity, was over. The general election took place from October 26th to December 2nd. It was primarily between Andrew Jackson and John Quincy Adams with William Crawford and Henry Clay also running. Each candidate was a ‘Democratic-Republican’ but with different factions. Politically our country was divided and in turmoil. Lafayette’s visit was a wonderful respite from the turmoil! Here’s what happened.

As it turned out the United States presidential election of 1824 was a watershed moment in American politics. John Quincy Adams (son of 2nd President John Adams) was elected President on February 9, 1825. The election was decided by the House of Representatives. . The House of Representatives elected Adams as President even though Jackson received more electoral votes (99 vs 84, but 131 were needed to win. Crawford had 41 and Clay 37). Jackson had also won the popular vote. The House vote, as prescribed by the 12th Amendment, provides one vote for each State. Adams received 13, Jackson 7 and Crawford 4.

Jackson called foul. He railed that there was a ‘Corrupt Bargain’ on Henry Clay’s part. Clay, who was from Kentucky and was the 4th presidential candidate, also held a powerful position. He was the Speaker of the House. Clay ‘detested’ Jackson and worked to forge an Ohio Valley - New England coalition that supported Adams for the House vote. Clay became Adam’s Secretary of State – usually a steppingstone to the Presidency. But the allegations of a ‘Corrupt Bargain’ and bad feelings kept Clay from achieving his aspiration.

1824 is the only presidential election where the candidate receiving the most electoral votes did not win. 1824 is also the only election cycle, since the ratification of the 12th Amendment in 1803, where the election was decided by House of Representatives.

Meanwhile where was LaFayette in January of 1825? The election results filtered in and just a month before the House vote, LaFayette was in Washington DC. On January 6th he received John Quincy Adams at Gadsby's hotel (located at Pennsylvania & 6th Street NW). Then on January 12th LaFayette had dinner with Andrew Jackson, William Crawford, Henry Clay, Martin VanBuren, Stephen VanRensselaer (NY) and Louis McLane (3 of the 4 1824 presidential candidates plus an additional future president). I would have loved to be in that room!
Submitted by:
Carol Ann Berning, Lafayette 200 Chair, Big Cypress Chapter DAR

08/08/2024

Lafayette 200 Celebration Begins in Naples at The French on 8/15/2024!

On August 15, 1824 the Marquis de Lafayette arrived in New York City and was cheered by a crowd of 80,000 jubilant Americans welcoming the honored Guest of the Nation! To mark the 200th anniversary of this grand occasion, we look forward to gathering DAR and SAR (and those interested) who are in town for summer for a festive lunch at The French Restaurant on 5th Avenue.

As the “Nation’s Guest” Lafayette embarked on a 13-month event-filled tour of America. During the bicentennial celebration of Lafayette’s triumphant Farewell Tour, many will follow Lafayette’s footsteps through the then existing 24 states in the exact order he traveled in 1824 and 1825.

Come Join Big Cypress Chapter DAR
Luncheon to be held Thursday, August 15, 2024 at 11:45 am
The French Brasserie Rustique
365 5th Ave South, Naples, FL 34102
Separate Checks (seating limited)
RSVP or Questions via Private Message