DAR Distinguished Citizen Medal awarded

The Overland Trail Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution met in Fort Collins on Nov. 5 for their regular meeting, one of the highlights being the presentation of the DAR Distinguished Citizen Medal.

The DAR Distinguished Citizen Medal was established to recognize worthy citizens for extraordinary service in the defense, promotion and/or preservation of our American heritage of freedom. The DAR Distinguished Citizen Medal is a new award which began in 2014. It is presented to an individual, 18 years of age and older, who fulfills the qualities of honor, service, courage, leadership and patriotism. This medal may be awarded to emergency first responders; active duty military and veterans of the United States Armed Forces; and citizens who have contributed to the defense and/or security, and thereby the freedom, of the community, state or nation in an exceptional manner.

This year the Overland Trail Chapter is pleased to award U.S. Army Col. (Ret.) Dorothy H. Clark, with the DAR Distinguished Citizen Medal. State chairwoman for national defense Sue Harmon and state regent Peggy Norton presented the certificate and medal. Clark is a native of Royal Oak, Mich. She graduated from Central Michigan University with a bachelor of science degree in social science and taught elementary school for two years. She was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) in 1971. Upon completion of the WAC Officer Basic Course, she began her Army career at Fort Lee, Va. She left active duty in 1976 to complete a master’s degree in educational psychology from Michigan State University. She worked as an admissions counselor while also serving in the U.S. Army Reserves 70th Division Training Unit, Livonia, Mich., as the assistant military personnel officer, completing this assignment as chief administrative services division before entering back on active duty in 1985. Clark’s assignments include assistant professor of military science at Colorado State University, chief incentive administration center Army Reserve Personnel Center in St. Louis, executive officer for the chief, Army Reserve in Washington, D.C., and special assistant to the commanding general, USAR soldier support institute in Fort Jackson, S.C. Clark retired in September 2001, after 30 years of service to our country.

The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution was founded in 1890 to promote patriotism, preserve American history, and support better education for our nation’s children. Its members are descended from the patriots who won American independence during the Revolutionary War. With more than 180,000 members in approximately 3,000 chapters worldwide, DAR is one of the world’s largest and most active service organizations. To learn more about the work of today’s DAR, visit DAR.org or the Overland Trail Chapter at overlandtrail.coloradodar.org.