Our chapter is so very grateful for our past, present and future patriots.
Manatee Veterans Stand Down
L-R: Mary Breaux, Kathy Doddridge, Madeline Rementer, Julie Worth, Margaret Smelser & Holly Wilson
2022 Auxiliary Member of the Year
Our very own, Tricia Sadler has been awarded the 2022 Auxiliary Member of the Year of her dedication and commitment to the Manatee County Veterans Council.
Memorial Day Observance 2022
Manatee Daughters L-R Holly Wilson, Barbara Mills, Jackie DaRocha, Mary Breaux, Margaret Smelser, Regent Kathy Doddridge, Tricia Sadler, Rebekah Thomas, Julie Worth
Veterans Cemetery – Sarasota FL – Wreath Laying ceremony
Left to right, Margaret Smelser, Kathy Doddridge, Pro Dewey, Mary Breaux, Carol Briggs
Veterans Day – 2021
Members distributed U.S. Flags and programs and greeted participants
L-R: Kathy Doddridge, Margaret Smelser, Theresa Cobb, Mary Breaux, Barbara Mills, Madeline Rementer, Carole Briggs (not pictured Tricia Sadler)
Pictures from Veterans Day Service: Veterans Council Members Theresa Cobb, Margaret Smelser and Tricia Sadler
2021 Manatee – Stand Down
Pictures from Manatee Veterans Stand Down L-R: Pru Dewey, Barbara Mills, Martha Stanislawski, Kathy Doddridge, Margaret Smelser, Madeline Renter, Julie Worth, Mary Breaux. (not pictured Theresa Cobb, Tricia Sadler)
We annually present awards to three local JROTC units in Manatee County.
Bayshore His School ROTC Awards ceremony
We have provided entertainment for residents at the Douglas T. Jacobson State Veterans Home.
Chapter members are actively involved in the support of the Manatee County Veterans Council by serving on their board and committees, helping with the Veterans Stand Down.
We collect stamps used as physical therapy tools for wounded veterans.
The chapter participates each year in the Veterans Day Parade, local commemorative events, and parades promoting patriotism.
Our Chapter provides items to Manasota Operation Troop Support (MOTS) which assists local military families along with troops overseas.
We generously support the efforts of the National Society’s DAR Project Patriot Committee
Manatee Daughters Support Groupons
Manasota Veterans Council Memorial Day
L-R: Carole Briggs, Penny Duval, Mary Breaux, Kathy Doddridge, Julie Worth, Tricia Sadler, Margaret Smelser, Theresa Cobb
Theresa Cobb and Margaret Smelser have been awarded the Auxiliary Member of the Year by the Manasota Veterans Council. Their names are inscribed on a monument.
L-R: Theresa Cobb (2019) and Margaret Smelser (2020)
Veterans Council Auxiliary Member
For the third year in a row, the Manatee County Veterans Council has recognized a Manatee Chapter daughter as the Auxiliary Member for 2020. Margaret Smelser accepted this award at their recent meeting.
2019 Veterans Day – Parade
Past Regents, Sharon spry & Margaret Smelser, joined Regent Kathy Doddridge, Julie Worth, Madeline Rementer, Pru Dewey, Dee Kring, Robin Schoch, Laurie Schuchardt and handed out over 200 Flags to those waiting to honor our service Veterans. 
Past Manatee Chapter Regent Theresa Cobb awarded Auxiliary Member of the Year
Past Manatee Chapter Regent, Theresa Cobb was recognized for all her work and support of our Veterans by the Manatee County Veterans Council as the Auxiliary Member of the Year.
Here she is joined by our Past Regent, Sharon Spry who also received this award just one year ago. We are so very proud of our Daughters.
2019 Stand Down
Chapter members Suzanne Cochran, Past Regent Margaret Smelser, Madeline Rementer, Julie Worth and Regent Kathy Doddridge were amongst the 460 Volunteers who participated in the 2019 Stand Down. In operations with Turning Points, a large range of services and meaningful information, support was provided to the 224 participants. Included were 120 veterans of which 29 were homeless.
“You are Not Forgotten”
The purpose of the Missing in America Program is to locate, identify and inter the unclaimed cremains of American veterans through the joint efforts of private, state and federal organization. To provide honor and repect to those who have served this country by securing a final resting place for these forgotten heroes.
Regent Kathy Doddridge, Barbara Mills, Julie Worth and Past Regent Margaret Smelser participated in this moving ceremony on September 26, 2019 at the Sarasota National Cemetery.
2019 – Manatee Veterans council Memorial Day Observance – Wreath Laying Ceremony
L-R Past Regent Sharon Spry, Regent Kathy Doddridge
2019 – Manatee Veterans council Memorial Day Observance
L-R Julie Worth, Past Regent Sharon Spry, Regent Kathy Doddridge, Past Regent Margaret Smelser
We supported our State Regents project – “Project Linus”
Registrar Kathy Doddridge and her entire family worked on blankets over the Christmas Holidays.
Wreaths Across America
We purchased wreaths for the Sarasota National Cemetery supporting the Wreaths Across America. 
Sarah Meaker, Barbara Mills and Holly Wilson laying wreaths at the National Cemetery in Sarasota
WAA (Wreaths Across America) Cleanup
Manatee Chapter Daughters; Sarah Meaker & Holly Wilson assisted at the Sarasota National Cemetery removing wreaths.
Manatee Chapter Regent, Sharon Spry chosen as Manatee County Veterans Council Auxiliary Member of the Year 2016
Manatee Chapter designated Department of Defense -Vietnam War Commemorative Partner
The Commemorative Partner Program is designed for federal, state and local communities, veterans’ organizations and other nongovernmental organizations to assist a grateful nation in thanking and honoring our Vietnam veterans and their families. Commemorative Partners are encouraged to participate in the Commemoration of the Vietnam War by planning and conducting events and activities that will recognize the Vietnam veterans and their families’ service, valor, and sacrifice.
Manatee Chapter thanked 40 Vietnam veterans for their service, sacrifice and valor at the Bradenton Senior Softball Banquet on Friday March 6th, as a part of the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War Commemoration.
Manatee Chapter is proud to be a Commemorative Partner and to have the chance to honor our nations Vietnam veterans. Pictured with the recipients is Sharon L Spry, Regent, Manatee Chapter, NSDAR.
Manatee Daughters Honor 28 Vietnam Veterans of River Isles
The event was held on Friday, November 20, 2015 at the River Clubhouse as a part the monthly pancake breakfast. Over 120 attended the event including: John Amelung, Gene Back, Jerry Bodalski, Jack Chambers, Gene Garrison, Dave Germann, Jerry Gilmore, Lloyd Graft, Gary Hartzler, Ron Hyland, Burt Jackson, Larry Jackson, John Lingle, Don Maxim, Carl Morgan, Terry Neubaum, Arnold Nilson, Don Olschefskie, Nick Osier, Roland R Pelletier, Gary Richardson, Marcia Rihm, Philip Rihm, Mark Schafer, Mike Solomita, John Wallace, Robert Seely, Ron Schneider.
Manatee Daughters honor 30 Vietnam Veterans at the Encore RV Resort
The December 28 ceremony took place at the Manatee Encore RV Resort in Bradenton. It was the chapter’s third such event this year and was held as part of an NSDAR initiative marking the 50th anniversary of the start of U.S. combat operations in Vietnam. Pictured left to right (front) are Sally Timm (Manatee Chapter), Timothy Maloney, Mike Maloney, Marc Reardon, Allen Makela, Kevin Falls, John Curvey, (row 2) Jim Townsend, Gwen Makela, Patricia Applebee, Kelly Kerns, (row 3) Clifford Mapes, Meg Smelser (Manatee Chapter), Gary Pontius, Richard Rasmussen, Robin Knuutila, Tom Bray, Sharon Spry (Regent, Manatee Chapter), Michael Catella, Robert Cox, Robert Ernst, (rear) Darrell Sears, Robert Hayes, Robert Novak, Ralph Garner, and Tom Proffer. Not shown: William Bacon, Vincent Bruck, Ernest Chapman, Dave Diener, Harry Knowles, Stephen Larson, David Martin, Ian Pelham, and Robert Phippen.
Manatee Daughters honor another Vietnam Veteran at our recent meeting!
Anna Benardo Brucker (middle) received her Vietnam Veteran certificate and lapel pin from Regent Spry at the
February 12th meeting. Linda Craig (right) of M.O.T.S. said a few words about her organization and its role in caring
for Manatee and Sarasota County troops and their families, during and after deployment.
Manatee Daughters honor Vietnam Veterans at Faith United Methodist Church
Vietnam Veterans honored November 13, 2016
Back Row: Bill Campbell, Karl Hasbrouck
Middle Row: Walter Hunt, Dr. Bob LaMastro, Fred Mack, William Porterfield, Dan Munini, Bob Sanders, John Tucker, Chuck Thoreson, Lynden Warren
Front Row: Nelson Applegate,Jr., Jim Carlson, Jim Dart, Garry Metcalf, Bill Dooley, Bill Seagers, Sharon Spry, Ron Schoenfelder, Ed Trottier
Not pictured: Gary Folz, Robert Laney, Robert Lenz, Charles Richell, Michael Selby
Manatee Daughters honor Vietnam Veterans with Bay Chorale
Don Courtney, USA (ret) receives NSDAR Community Service Award – August 2014
The Manatee Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) made a surprise presentation during a recent Manatee County Veterans Council meeting. Manatee Chapter regent, Sharon Spry and chapter chaplain, Carol Saggau presented Don Courtney, Chairman of the Manatee County Veterans Council, with a Community Service Award. As chairman of the Manatee County Veterans Council, Don is responsible for leading this coalition of independent veterans organizations to foster fraternal relations amongst all veterans, create and maintain a greater public awareness and interest in veterans service to the community, to provide a forum for the identification and discussion of issues and actions that impact veterans and their families and to inform veterans/families on matters affecting veterans.
As stated by Regent Spry, “The National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution, encourages us to recognize those individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the community. For Manatee Chapter, this was a no brainer! ”Several letters of recommendation were written in support of this award. Larry Bustle, County Commissioner stated “Manatee County citizens, and especially Manatee County veterans, owe Don Courtney a large debt of gratitude for his community involvement and his successful efforts to make Manatee County a better place for all and a community that is proud of the sacrifices of its veterans.” W. Brad Steube, Sheriff wrote, “I believe that Mr. Courtney’s record proves him to be an outstanding citizen and I hope you will find him worthy of an award from the Daughters of the American Revolution”.
Our chapter supported “Paws for Patriots” through Southeast Guide Dogs, Inc. We raised funds in support of “Paws for Patriots” our State Regent’s project in 2012.
Dear Manatee Chapter, Thank you for your caring gift of $250 designated for the Keith G. Hirst 90-Day Challenge. And because of the matching challenge presented by Keith G. Hirst, your gift has now been doubled! We’d like to say a double “thank you, thank you” for this generous contribution. We appreciate your friendship with Southeastern Guide Dogs. You’re helping to change lives, and for that we think you’re pretty amazing. Warm regards, Titus Herman, Chief Executive Officer – 7/23/2013
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