The Major Reading Blount Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution met Nov. 15 at the Brown Library in Washington. Regent Reid Solomon called the meeting to order and led the Ritual. Chapter officers and committee chairmen presented reports.

The National Defense Report was presented by Connye Dillon. Actor Gary Sinise received the George C. Marshall Medal, the highest award for public service given by the Association of the United States Army Council of Trustees. The Gary Sinise foundation has been supporting veterans since 2011.

The American Indian report was given by Helen Eckman. She told of the Choctaw Indians being the first code talkers used during World War I.

Elizabeth Hodges announced that this is the 37^th year of the Christmas candlelight event at Tryon Palace. The event is on Dec. 9 from 4:30-9:30 p.m., and everyone is invited to attend.

The local DAR chapter voted to support the Wreaths Across America project. The monetary gift will help to purchase live wreaths for the national cemetery in New Bern and a portion will go toward the Veterans Assistance Program.

To promote the national theme, “Moving Forward in Service to America,” and to help achieve the conservation goal, a program was presented on the North Carolina Estuarium. Vice Regent Connye Dillon introduced Russ Chesson, the educator at the local facility for the Partnership for the Sounds. Russ emphasized the importance of involving people through education and celebration in order to save the ecosystems that are unique to eastern North Carolina.