March 29th, 2022 - Viet Nam Veteran's Remembrance and Welcome Home Day at the California Veteran's Home

                                                             Photos courtesy of a chapter member

ARTICLE FOR THE NAPA REGISTER

 VINEYARD TRAILS DAR MEMBERS PROVIDE

“WELCOME HOME” FOR VIETNAM WAR VETERANS

 By Lisa Hiatt, DAR Service for Veterans Committee

 The Vietnam War took place during a tumultuous time in the U.S. There were protests taking place against the war and against those who answered the country’s call to serve. With the war coming to an end in 1973, demonstrations in the States began to die down. However, disillusionment with the war was as widespread as ever. The troops were withdrawing from Vietnam, but there was no warm welcome or appreciation waiting for them as they arrived home. Instead, they were met with disdain and anger.

 Beginning on Memorial Day 2012, the Commemoration of the 50^th Anniversary of the Vietnam War began as a 13-year program to honor and give thanks to a generation of proud Americans who saw our country through one of the most challenging missions the U.S. ever faced. In 2017, the Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act was signed to designate March 29 of each year as National Vietnam War Veterans Day. It is never too late to pay tribute to the men and women who answered the call of duty with courage and valor.

 On Tuesday, March 29, the 5^th Anniversary of National Vietnam War Veterans Day, a very special event was held at the Veterans Home of California -Yountville to thank and honor veterans of the Vietnam War and their families for their service and sacrifice on behalf of the United States. The commemoration was sponsored by the Vineyard Trails Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), who worked with the Member Services Department at the Veterans Home to make this a meaningful Welcome Home for the veterans.

 “As a partner in the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration, our DAR chapter is committed to recognizing Vietnam War veterans, as well as prisoners of war and those missing in action.  Although our chapter supports all veterans in various ways, we specifically honored Vietnam War veterans, thanked them, and welcomed them home,” said Joanne Torre, chairwoman of the DAR Vietnam War Project. “We are so grateful we have this opportunity to show our support and appreciation.”

 The afternoon began with a parade around the Veterans Home grounds that included spectacular vintage cars, and vehicles driven by DAR members that were decorated in a patriotic theme, with messages of “Welcome Home” and “Thank You, Veterans!”  Yountville Mayor, John F. Dunbar, and Napa Mayor, Scott Sedgley, rode in two of the DAR members’ convertibles. The vintage cars were parked onsite and the owners had the opportunity to meet the veterans in person.

 Both mayors addressed the veterans and expressed their gratitude. “As we recognize the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War, it’s a privilege for me to represent our Yountville community in honoring the brave men and women - and their families - who served in that war,” explained Yountville Mayor, John F. Dunbar. “They deserve our highest appreciation for their bravery and personal sacrifice protecting our country and democracy around the world. For many, it took years, even decades, to receive the proper recognition for their dedicated service. We honor them today and every day."

 DAR members presented commemorative Vietnam War Veteran lapel pins that depicted “A Grateful Nation Thanks and Honors You.”  A gift bag containing many items including specially packaged Jelly Belly candy and Napa Nuts were distributed to the veterans. They were each tied with a yellow ribbon to signify “Welcome Home.”  A Missing Man table was displayed in memory of those who were held as prisoners of war or listed as missing in action. Each item on the table represents the emotions and feelings reserved for those who did not come home.

 Live music was provided by singer, Doug Hauser, and the Doc Kraft Band. Refreshments were provided by Sift Dessert Bar. PAWS for Purple Hearts brought one of their service dogs to meet the veterans.  This organization consists of veterans with PTSD who train the dogs to serve paraplegic veterans.

 “Tuesday was a very special event for our Vietnam War veterans,” explained Lisa Peake, Veterans Home Administrator. “Currently, over half of our members living here served during the Vietnam era. Whether they volunteered or were drafted, these courageous men and women answered the call to duty; putting their lives on hold to serve their country for reasons they may not have understood. Thank you to the Daughters of the American Revolution-Vineyard Trails Chapter and everyone else who participated in the event. The support and kindness towards our veterans are truly appreciated.”

 Vince Deguilio, a Vietnam War Veteran himself, drove his 1963 Chevrolet Impala in the parade.  “It was so great to be part of this day,” said Deguilio, “and such a pleasure to interact with other Vietnam veterans. I really appreciate the Vineyard Trails DAR chapter for doing this.”

 “We wanted to pay tribute to the valor of those who served proudly and courageously,” said DAR Regent, Dana Baumgardner. “We can never thank them enough.”

 The Vineyard Trails DAR Chapter has served the Napa community for over 50 years and is one of approximately 3,000 chapters across the country.  Members participate in a variety of efforts such as Wreaths Across America, assembling care packages for deployed military with Operation: With Love From Home, Veterans Day and Memorial Day events and presentations, and provide holiday gifts such as eReaders for the library and calendars for the resident at the Veterans Home.

 The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is a lineage-based membership service organization for women who are directly descended from a person involved in the United States' efforts towards independence. A non-profit group, they promote education and patriotism. The organization's membership is limited to direct lineal descendants of soldiers or others of the Revolutionary period who aided the cause of independence; applicants must have reached 18 years of age and are reviewed at the chapter level for admission. The DAR has over 185,000 current members^[2] in the United States and other countries. Its motto is "God, Home, and Country".

 Any woman eighteen years or older, of any race, religion or ethnic background who can provide lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution, is eligible for membership. 

 For more information about this amazing service organization, visit www.VTNapa.CaliforniaDAR.org.

 Additional information about the Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017 can be found at www.vietnamwar50th.com.

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Chapter members attend Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Mountain Cemetery

in Sonoma, California to honor Captain William Smith, a Revolutionary Soldier buried there!

 Photos courtesy of a chapter member

Chapter member donating time to fill "With Love From Home" boxes

Photos courtesy of a chapter member

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Article in the Napa Register on December 27th, 2020

 NAPA DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION HONOR U.S. MILITARY IN TWO  CEREMONIES

Photo courtesy of a chapter member

Each year in December, holiday wreaths are placed on the graves of U.S. veterans at over 2,100  cemeteries in all 50 states, in a program called Wreaths Across America.  At Arlington National Cemetery in DC, over 267,000 wreaths are placed by volunteers.  These ceremonies enable us to remember fallen U.S. veterans and honor those who currently serve.

The Napa chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Vineyard Trails Chapter, NSDAR, has participated in the event at the Veterans Home Cemetery in Yountville for many years, helping to place 1,500 wreaths.  But this year, it was canceled due to Covid-19.

The DAR chapter still wanted to honor veterans at this time and was able to create two events – at the Veterans Memorial Wall, Tulocay Cemetery, and the Napa Elks Lodge 832, held on Thursday, December 17.  Following the Pledge of Allegiance and The National Anthem, holiday wreaths for each of the six branches of the U.S. military were placed on easels in front of the wall by members of the American Legion Post 113 in Napa, a captain of the Nurse Corps, United States Navy Retired.  The American Legion Honor Guard provided a rifle salute and a bugler played Taps. 

At the Elks Lodge ceremony, a large wreath was hung representing all the branches of service, and another for veterans of the Vietnam War.  DAR members read the names of 23 soldiers from the Napa Valley who died in that war.  

“Even though these two ceremonies were much smaller in scale than the annual event, they were no less meaningful,” said Regent, Dana Baumgardner.  “It is so important that we show our veterans and their families, and those currently serving, that we appreciate their sacrifices.”

The Vineyard Trails Chapter, NSDAR, has served the Napa community for over 50 years and is one of approximately 3,000 chapters across the country and several foreign countries. Members are descendants of Patriots who won American independence during the American Revolutionary War.

Any woman eighteen years or older, regardless of race, religion, ethnic background, who can prove lineal descent from a Patriot of the American Revolutionary War, is eligible for membership.  For more information about this amazing service organization, please contact us.

Photo courtesy of a chapter member

Tulocay Cemetery Veterans Memorial Wall, Napa, California

Photo courtesy of a chapter member

Wappo Indian minute notes, September 2020

Talahalusi means "beautiful land" in the Wappo language.

The Napa Valley area is one of the longest inhabited areas in California; uninterrupted for 10,000 years. Napa means "land of plenty" in the Wappo language.

They were hunters and gatherers who lived in small communities. Their homes were made out of branches, leaves, and mud. They were particularly well known for their skill at basket weaving, with a weave so tight that the baskets could hold water.

The 1770 population was estimated between 1,000 - 1,650 by 1850, to 200 after the Mexican invasion in 1823 and dispersal to the Spanish mission schools.

In 2010 at the last census, 291 self-identified as Wappo.

A longtime resident of Napa and prominent Native American activist Jim Big Bear King, described the Napa Valley. “It was a paradise, a cultivated paradise where one only had to reach out their hands to eat, a place rich in beauty, water, and food”. He spent the second half of his life in the Napa Valley, was co-founder of the Suscol Intertribal Council which still exists today, and was an activist in the American Indian movement starting in 1968.

Another Napa area resident and Wappo, Laura Fish Somersal, born 1892, died 1990 in Windsor, was the last fluent speaker of Wappo, in particular, and skilled basket weaver lived her life and died in the Napa Valley.