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Sikeston’s 110-year-old Daughters of American Revolution chapter seeks new members
SIKESTON — Those with revolutionary roots may be able to join a local organization based in Sikeston.
Sikeston’s Kings Highway Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, or DAR, has been around for over a century.
The 110-year-old Kings Highway Chapter was founded on March 24, 1914, in Sikeston.
According to LaDona DeKriek, a DAR chapter member, the DAR is a historically significant organization that is also truly relevant in today’s world.
DeKriek said the King’s Highway Chapter is in danger of dissolving due to a lack of membership.
“The DAR is of women who are direct descendants from someone who fought during the Revolutionary War,” DeKriek said.
According to DeKriek, women ages 18 and up, regardless of race, religion or ethnic background, are eligible to join, but they must provide proof of lineal descent from a patriot.
According to DeKriek, she decided to join the organization in 2005. DeKriek said anyone interested in joining should first join the DAR as a research member.
“They will first join the DAR just as a research member, and they will get help from the DAR to try and find the evidence that is needed of their blood relatives that were patriots,” DeKriek said. “Most people who join know in their background that they have a relative in their background, but they just need help finding the evidence.”
DeKriek said the area in Sikeston is very unique, and many people may have lineal descent but are unaware of it.
“We live in such a unique spot right here,” DeKriek said. “So many tracked across this area who were going west and they were all coming from the east coast and there were soldiers that were patriots that came this direction.
DeKriek continued: “This organization honors the United States military, veterans, historic preservation, education and patriotism. It really is a great organization to be a part of.”
DeKriek also mentioned the chapter’s monument, which was dedicated in the 1920s. The El Camino Real Monument is located at the corner of North Kingshighway and Woodlawn in Sikeston.
“This marks the Spanish Military Road from 1789, which was a route that connected to St. Louis to New Madrid along the Mississippi River,” DeKriek said.
Anyone who is interested in membership should contact Susan Baxley at susan.baxley@msn.com. For more information about the lineage society, visit www.dar.org.