113th Virginia Daughters of the American Revolution State Conference
Recently I attended the 113th Virginia Daughters of the American Revolution State Conference. I was privileged to attend not only as a member, but as a page and a voting delegate for our chapter. And I have to be honest that in the days leading up to the conference I started to think, “What have I done?”
To say that paging for the DAR is complicated undertaking that requires pre-planning and the purchase of some very specific garments is an understatement! The DAR is richly steeped in tradition, and the women who serve as pages still dress conforming to some of these traditions. We are required to wear all white, dress professionally (no pants though), wear white gloves, and for certain events we are required to wear white hats as well. Shopping for pure white outfits in the middle of winter isn’t the easiest undertaking. In fact, it’s down right near-impossible. I was however successful, and quite pleased with the results of my shopping endeavors. I managed to find three beautiful white suits for the day-time events and one white evening gown for the evening programs. My white gloves were purchased through a vintage dealer on Etsy (Redux), and my hat was a beautiful creation by another wonderful couture Etsy dealer; KatarinaCouture.
With all my clothes and accessories purchased (I plan on posting an entirely separate blog on the necessary undergarments and how they worked out), I started to get excited. I waited anxiously until my page assignment came in the mail. But when it did, I was horrified. I was to be the Virginia Flag Page. That meant I would have to carry the Virginia Flag in all the processionals and recessionals throughout the weekend; maintaining elegance, composure, and majestic poise while all the attendees of the conference stared at me.
Suddenly, attending the State Conference was the last thing I wanted to do. I literally required acupuncture just moments before I walked down the aisle at my own wedding in order to forget the fact that 200-some-odd people would be staring at me, and I could be assured that there would be well over 200 people in attendance at the State Conference. Not to mention my inherently clumsy nature. My childhood best friend’s mother used to call me Whitney Grace because it was no special occasion for me to go careening into a wall, trip over my own feet, or just fall down in the middle of the floor as if some invisible foot had suddenly jutted out in my way. The thought of carrying that flag down the aisle as everyone watched became petrifying to me.
I began to scheme about different ways I could get out of it, unfortunately, none were believable enough to overcome my overwhelming sense of duty. I had committed to this event and I should see it through. I wanted to make my chapter proud. But most of all, I wanted to prove to myself that I was up to this very special task.
I feel that it’s important that I mention I dragged my mother with me. She obliged as she wanted to learn more about the Historic Preservation Committee which she is currently the chair for in our chapter. Truly there was no other reason for her to be there other than moral support.
We arrived fairly late on Thursday evening and missed all the festivities that the conference had arranged for the night. I believe there was a meet-and-greet reception which some of the ladies from our chapter who had arrived earlier attended. Since we missed out Thursday was very uneventful and gave me plenty of time to brood about how I was sure I would fall flat on my face or spear some unsuspecting victim with my flag.
I was very happy that neither of those things happened. I did not trip over my own two feet, no invisible foot played a practical joke on me, I didn’t spear anyone with my flag; in fact, I would like to think that I performed my job with poise and grace. I couldn’t have done it without the help of our unwaivering leaders, Nancy and Mandi (the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Flag Committee).
There were certainly moments throughout the conference that were hurried and a bit stressful, but none of that mattered. I was amazed at the constant overwhelming feeling of the American Spirit that seemed to breath life into all of our events and business sessions. The women of the Virginia Daughters truly have a love for our Country that is unmatched anywhere I have ever attended before.
The Friday Night Opening Ceremony was the most touching ceremony I have ever attended. I processed the flag down the center aisle, following the American flag, and while I waited for the Virginia State Regent, Mrs. Caskey to announce the posting of the colors my heart swelled with joy as all of the voices united as one to sing the National Anthem. My heart stuck in my throat and my eyes got misty and suddenly I realized that this is what it means to be a Daughter; this love for our great Nation, the desire to help our fellow citizens, and to perpetuate the ideals that our ancestors fought to save.
I am very proud to say that I am a Daughter.
Below are a few pictures from the conference. I hope that you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed serving. (Photos are courtesy of Convention Photography.) Click on any of the thumbnails to see the images full-size.
It was a good conference (even if there was NO historic preservation information!!
Hello Whitney,
You look beautiful & I am glad you had so much fun. You inspire me to go to state next year. I have never been. I look forward to meeting you at the next meeting. I am transfering back in from another chapter. I used to belong to Katoctin a few years ago. Treasure all your memories.
Cheers, Holiday
Whitney, You look so wonderful. I was so proud to see the pictures of you as Page. It seems so long since Ketoctin Chapter has had a Page. Now you know how difficult it is to describe the overwhelming and deep feeling of love for our country that you feel. Now, I can’t wait for you to Page at the National Conference at DAR Consitution Hall. Have you signed up yet? Keep up the good work, you do us proud.
A fellow Daughter
Lyle Werner
Lyle: I’ve got my invitation in my planner!! I’m just trying to work out with my day job how many days I can take off! I think it will be a fantastic experience.
OMG, it’s like nothing you’ve ever experience. Especially opening and closing ceremonies. Also who the special guest speaker, can make the conference even more special. One year I attended, Charlton Heston was the speaker. I got to meet him at a reception and he autograph on his latest book. But to meet these other patriot women from all over the country and in fact the world, is awe insiring. It’s so much fun. Hopefully I will be there with you this year!
Lyle
Congrats on making it through! I can relate to that fear very well. You look beautiful in the photos and I love the clothes and the hat.
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Well now I want to go (if only for the outfits!!! ) And the pride!!! You look awesome and elegant and alot less clumsy than you make yourself out to be. Want to run by Memphis and do some genealogical research for me on your foray down South? My aunt must have my grandmother’s DAR stuff somewhere. It would be good quirky fun. You could see Graceland and the Gypsies and eat Barbecue. My cousins would probably take you to Beale Street and get you drunk. Please???
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Sounds super fun, except we’re flying.
And unfortunately we’re connecting through Atlanta and Minneapolis, no where close to Memphis. Maybe if we drive down for Christmas break I can make a little detour. Steve would enjoy getting drunk at Beale Street I presume.
I found your blog while searching for other DAR pages out there. I just paged at Tennessee conference and am on the same page with you about the various garments (and undergarments) necessary to page. I too found almost everything I needed on Ebay.
Congratulations on your page experience! You look amazing – love the hat!
Whitney!
I just saw this. Are you going to be flag page again?? You were wonderful! I didn’t even know you were nervous.
See you in a month in our whites!
Kim
I have an inkling that I’m going to be a flag page again… Eunice called and asked me if I would be available for the Bell Tower ceremony on Thursday. However, I think my page assignment is trapped in my mailbox, which is currently buried under feet of snow. When my hubby digs it out later I’ll know for certain! See you next month (if we ever get out of all this snow)!!
Hi there,
I found your blog when I googled “Virginia DAR State Conference pictures”. The reason for that is I’ve only been a member for 2 months and am trying to see about making my way to the state conference for a day next month, and don’t want to show up wearing the wrong thing
. I’m thinking I might give paging a whirl say maybe next year when I’m a little more settled. I loved reading about your paging adventure, and hope maybe I can meet you some day at state or national. I’m on a mission to make some junior DAR friends as I don’t have any as of yet. As far as I can tell, I think I’m the youngest one in my chapter 
.
Hey Jennifer!
Welcome to the DAR family!! State conference is a wonderful place to learn more about the organization… I hope you’re able to attend at least one day! Attire is usually business attire during the day and evening wear (yes, some ladies really go all out) for the evening dinners.
I would definitely recommend paging! I always have a fantastic time, and meet lots of wonderful ladies! If you end up coming to State make sure you stop by the Junior Club meeting… that’s the perfect place for you to start meeting more Juniors!!