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DAR awards residents for service

| 28 Feb 2017 | 04:50
    PHOTOS BY VERA OLINSKI From Left, Vice Regent Laura Franek, Donna Traylor, Kevin Mitchell, Joan Thomas, Alex Everitt, Jr., Paul J. Checkur, and Regent Ashley Ziccardi participate in the Chinkchewunska DAR 22nd Annual Awards Ceremony.
    PHOTOS BY VERA OLINSKI From Left, Vice Regent Laura Franek, Donna Traylor, Kevin Mitchell, Joan Thomas, Alex Everitt, Jr., Paul J. Checkur, and Regent Ashley Ziccardi participate in the Chinkchewunska DAR 22nd Annual Awards Ceremony.
    Former President Gerald G. DeGroat of the Society of the Sons of the Revolution shows their New Jersey flag.
    Former President Gerald G. DeGroat of the Society of the Sons of the Revolution shows their New Jersey flag.
    Margaret "Peggy" Checkur worked over 100 hours sewing her son's outfit, Paul F. Checkur, on right.
    Margaret "Peggy" Checkur worked over 100 hours sewing her son's outfit, Paul F. Checkur, on right.

LAFAYETTE — The Chinkchewunska Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution honored county residents Saturday, Feb. 25, during its 22nd Annual Awards Ceremony luncheon at the Laffayette House.
The Community Service Award recipient was Joan Thomas, who runs the Sussex Help Center. She is an active and dedicated volunteer, sharing her leadership skills with many local families.
Alex Everitt, Jr. received the History Award for his dedication to the history of Sussex County. Everitt has served as president of the Sussex County Historical Society and currently serves as a board member, beginning in 1972. He also is the Historian for the Lafayette Preservation and served two years in the army, while stationed in Alaska during the Cold War.
The Heritage and Agriculture Association/Friends of Lusscroft Farm received the Historic Preservation Recognition Award for their tireless dedication to preserving the historic Lusscroft Farm. Donna Traylor and Kevin Mitchell received the award on the association's behalf.
Charles Checkur and Paul J. Checkur received the Ramsey-Cooper Award in honor of generously and tirelessly helping and supporting the Chinkchewunska Chapter and Elias VanBunschooten Museum, located on Route 23 in Wantage.
The ceremony included: saluting the Flag of the U.S.A., repeating aloud the American's Creed and Preamble to the Constitution of the U.S.A., blessing, greetings, award presentations, and benediction.
Dignitaries attending were Freeholder Carl F. Lazzaro and Former Freeholder Richard Vohden. Congressman Josh Gottheimer was unable to attend.
Former President of the Society of the Sons of the Revolution, Gerald G. DeGroat, along with chapter members, displayed their flag collection in honor of the DAR ceremony.
DeGroat explained, in order to be a member of the Sons of the Revolution, one's ancestor had to have served in the military during the American Revolution or been held libel for treason by the British.
DeGroat's ancestors all served in the Revolutionary War. He added, “If you served, you were libel for treason.”
Some of the flags on display were: American flags, battle flags, including the “Green Mountain Flag” from the N.H. area, General William Maxwell Flag — a gift from his mom, the DAR Regent for the General William Maxwell Chapter, of which DeGroat completed the graphics, plus, a “Don't tread on Me” flag, N.J., and national “Sons of the Revolution” flags.
Award recipient Paul J. Checkur commented, his mother, Margaret “Peggy” Checkur, worked over 100 hours sewing his revolutionary war uniform.