DAR Col. Josiah Smith Chapter Elects Officers, Plans for America 250

On March 8, 2025, the Col. Josiah Smith Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) convened at the Bayport-Blue Point Public Library for its inaugural meeting of the year. The agenda included the election of officers, selection of delegates for the upcoming Continental Congress, plans to commemorate America250, and a captivating presentation on WWII.

Members elected the 2025–2028 chapter executive board, which will guide the organization through the next three years. The newly elected officers are: Laura Miller, regent; Kristine Smith, vice regent; Mary Munkenbeck, chaplain; Geri Gendron, recording secretary; Christina McBride, treasurer; Kenlyn Perry, registrar; and Kathleen Guleksen, historian/librarian. The installation ceremony is scheduled for the chapter’s annual meeting in May.

The chapter also appointed delegates for the 134th Continental Congress, to be held from June 25–29 at the DAR national headquarters in Washington, D.C. The selected delegates are Laura Miller, Heidi Nathan-Barry, and Erin Shaw.

Plans were also discussed for the chapter's annual fundraiser luncheon in June. Proceeds from this year's event will support the chapter's America250 efforts, which tentatively include placing a commemorative plaque at the Col. Josiah Smith Cemetery in East Moriches. This project aims to honor the chapter's namesake patriot for his contributions to the American Revolution.

America250, led by the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission, is a nationwide celebration of America’s 250th anniversary in 2026. DAR was the first heritage society to formally partner with America250. The agreement outlines a number of initiatives developed by the DAR to honor Revolutionary War Patriots, engage youth through contests and educational programming, and support efforts to better tell the story of underrepresented and diverse Patriots who helped to win the American War of Independence.

Following the meeting's business proceedings, Vice Regent Kristine Smith presented on the Ghost Army of World War II. Drawing from the book co-authored by her cousin, Rick Beyer, Smith shed light on the top secret operations of the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops. This unique unit employed deceptive tactics—including inflatable tanks, counterfeit radio transmissions, and sound effects—to mislead German forces and facilitate the Allied advance into Germany

The chapter's next meeting is scheduled for Saturday, April 12, 2025.

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The DAR is a nonprofit, nonpolitical volunteer women’s service organization dedicated to promoting historic preservation, education, and patriotism. Any woman 18 years or older, regardless of race, religion, or ethnic background, who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution is eligible for membership. Chartered in Patchogue, N.Y., in 1920, the Col. Josiah Smith Chapter NSDAR has been active in the community for over a century. For more information about the chapter and its mission, visit coloneljosiahsmithchapternsdar.org.