FEATURES
DAR honors citizenship, leaders
Elsie Hodnett
05-22-2008
Approximately 75 people gathered for the Broken Arrow Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution Awards Luncheon Monday to recognize the achievements of two outstanding citizens.
The attendees recognized the accomplishments of Dick Whatley, who won the DAR Community Service Award for the Broken Arrow Chapter, the State of Alabama, and the Southeast District, which encompasses Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Whatley is also among the nominees for the national DAR Community Service Award, which will be announced at the national conference in July.
They also recognized Megan Slezak, who won the Good Citizens Award for Ashville High School and St. Clair County with her essay “Our American Heritage and Our Responsibility for Preserving It.”
“I am honored to have been chosen,” said Whatley. “This is bigger than the Academy Award to me.”
Whatley retired from the U.S. Air Force as a Lt. Colonel, serving two tours of duty in Vietnam. After retiring from service, he and his wife, Evelyn, moved to Pell City where he has pursued a long career in real estate.
Whatley became active in the Pell City community, serving on numerous committees and various organizations.
“I especially want to thank those who wrote letters on my behalf,” Whatley said.
Whatley’s selection for the state DAR Community Service Award was based on letters submitted by the local DAR chapter and written by various organizations and government officials.
“I don’t do these things for recognition,” he said. “This is the biggest honor I have ever gotten. I have been blessed all my life. I do things other people need, and am glad to be able to fill some of those needs.”
Former Pell City mayor Guin Robinson wrote one of the letters on Whatley’s behalf.
“It was the easiest letter I ever wrote,” Robinson said. “I have worked with Dick on so many projects. The community never had a better friend.”
Robinson said he is proud to call Whatley a friend.
“If we ever differed on opinions, I found myself questioning very deeply if I was right,” he said. “That is how highly I think of him.”
The attendees also heard Slezak read her essay, which talked about the founding fathers and their decision to form America.
“I enjoyed writing it,” Slezak said.
Slezak said she was in awe of the courage the founding fathers had to basically commit treason by preparing and signing the Declaration of Independence.
“Everything played its part for us to get where we are,” she said.
Roxanne Bukacek, awards coordinator for the DAR Broken Arrow Chapter and host of the awards luncheon, said she was proud to honor the two winners.
“I am glad everyone attended and made this luncheon a very successful event,” she said.
|
|
|
About Elsie Hodnett
|
|
Elsie Hodnett is a staff writer for The Daily Home.
|
Contact Elsie Hodnett
RETURN TO TOP
|
