By Jason W. Brooks
Mail | X: @JasonWBrooks2

Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke said he thinks most people would agree a Constitution Week recognition wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the Daughters of the American Revolution.

He made that statement just as seven women — all dressed in patriotic and/or Revolutionary War-era clothing — walked up to the dais in Council chambers for a recognition at a Sept. 15 study session.

DAR is a nonprofit service organization with 185,000 members and more than 3,000 chapters worldwide. Constitution Week events are a big part of the organization’s annual activities, though scholarship projects and facilitating other events or aspects of events are among their other efforts.

Historical preservation, education and patriotism are among DAR’s stated goals.
“I thank DAR for helping with a Constitution Day last year (in 2024),” Mayor Hartke told the group. “And I believe it was your suggestion to turn it into a whole week.”

One Chandler-area DAR representative handed out small American flags to wave at a January citizenship and naturalization ceremony at A.J. Chandler Park.

DAR Regent Jean Milberger said Constitution Day — officially “Constitution Day and Citizenship Day” by Congress — is every Sept. 17 and is a special day, especially “leading up to next year, our 250th birthday as a nation.”

Milberger and six others — Leslie Baran, Pennie Bonnett, Maggie Webb, local Vice Regent Becky Donatelli, Pam Harrison and Susan Campbell — were dressed patriotically for the meeting.

She said DAR and the Sons of the American Revolution are looking forward to participating in Chandler’s Parade of Lights in early December.

Hartke said the city will soon unveil its plans to help celebrate the 250th year of American independence soon.

Jason W. Brooks can be reached at jbrooks@iniusa.org.  Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our  Civility Guidelines.

Jason W. Brooks
News Editor | Chandler Independent

Jason W. Brooks joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in July 2021 as an associate editor. After a year covering Buckeye, he has covered Chandler since the fall of 2022, in addition to assisting the Daily Independent throughout his time at INI.

Education: University of New Mexico, bachelor of arts in journalism and mass communication, print emphasis, English minor.

Random Fact: He and his siblings witnessed a Space Shuttle launch and landing in the same year in person, on opposite coasts.

Hobbies: Karaoke, bicycling and American Sign Language.

Community: He supports animal shelters.