Formal tea honors DAR member

Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2008

Click here to enlarge this photo Staff Photo by SHELLEY MASCIA Daughters of the American Revolution Corresponding Secretary Evelyn Widmer of California greets Sons of American Revolution President John Schercinger of Huntingtown in the receiving line during a formal tea at the Linden House in Prince Frederick. The formal tea was held in honor of Widmer, who is Major USAR Retired. E-Mail This Article | Print This Story

The Linden House in Prince Frederick hosted the formal tea. The events are held for each member who is a state officer.

Many of the women at the formal tea could trace their lineage back to the American Revolution. Widmer, according to her husband of 10 years, Tom, could trace her lineage back further.

‘‘Her ancestry goes back on both sides of the family,” said Tom Widmer. ‘‘To qualify, you need proof of ancestry and you had to be on the right side, too. Her ancestors include Colonel Edward Burgess, who served in Washington’s Army, and a 14-year old private named Moses Preston.”

‘‘It takes proof of an ancestor fighting in the military or taking care of the troops, or providing provisions,” said Evelyn Widmer. ‘‘At one time, it was strictly soldiers, but then they realized there were other people who were involved.” Widmer also qualifies as a member of the Daughters of the Confederacy.

Maryland State Regent Barbara Carpenter of Great Falls, Va., was the one who picked Widmer for her position. While Carpenter had an array of women to choose from, she liked Widmer the best.

‘‘I selected a number of gals that I thought would benefit the state organization,” Carpenter said. ‘‘Evelyn is very valuable and she has done a wonderful job for us.”

Widmer, who is a Kentucky colonel, was honored by her formal tea ceremony.

‘‘I am delighted to have this tea all for me,” said Widmer. ‘‘It’s a great tradition and a way for the chapter to receive ladies from all over the state.”

After moving to Maryland, Widmer had transferred her membership from Kentucky in order to become a regent, since one can only be a regent in their home chapter. Widmer has been a member of the DAR for the last 20 years. She was given the distinction of Kentucky colonel because she was one of the first ladies in ROTC to graduate in the 1970s. She had distinguished herself as a medical core distinguished officer and she joined the Army after high school. Widmer also spent time in the Navy.

‘‘We are proud that Evelyn is a member of our chapter,” said Emily Hyde of Owings. ‘‘She made a great regent and now we are proud that she is a state officer.”

‘‘Evelyn and I have done a lot of things together through the DAR,” said Jane Leitch of Huntingtown. ‘‘She is very active and cares a lot about the group.” Leitch is ninth generation of the Sunderland family and served as regent for four years.

As corresponding secretary for the DAR her duties are varied. According to Hyde, she sends out all the mail for the state regent. According to Carpenter, Widmer is also responsible for communication between the state regent, board of managers, the state chairman and the state. She also checks e-mails and keeps track of the list of people who are members in the society. She also goes to Baltimore to attend the national meetings there.

According to its Web site, Daughters of the American Revolution was founded in 1890. It is a volunteer women’s service organization dedicated to keeping America strong by promoting patriotism, preserving U.S. history and supporting education programs. There are 53 state organizations and 2,791 members in 47 chapters in Maryland.

‘‘We [the members of DAR] are all direct descendants of American Patriots who sacrificed their lives and fortunes to win our freedom in the Revolutionary War,” Widmer said.