By Hamilton Richardson
Elmore/Autauga News
Top Photo: Atagi Chapter founder Hazel Phillips.
Ten years ago, a local member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Hazel Phillips, seeing the need for a Prattville chapter of the group, put forth the effort with several other members to get the group started and to begin making a lasting impact on their local community.
The current Regent of the Atagi Chapter of the DAR, Kathy Clements, explained the group’s beginning.
“Hazel Phillips of Prattville organized the chapter when six ladies met at her home on July 20, 2011,” she said. “More members were recruited, and the chapter was chartered on April 21, 2012.”
Clements went on to say that the chapter began with 32 organizing members and six charter members.
“Our chapter chose the motto, ‘We Love America and Our Patriots.’ The chapter name Atagi (pronounced Au-tau-gee) means ‘pure water’ in honor of the Native American village located in the late 1700’s on the north side of the Alabama River at the junction of the river and Autauga Creek,” the Regent said. “We currently have 75 members and celebrated our 10th Anniversary last month at Buena Vista Mansion in Prattville.”
The group is very involved in the community as well, said Clements.
“As a chapter, we collect medicine bottles, food and toys for the local humane shelter and plasticware for Heritage Baptist Food Ministry,” she said. “Atagi Chapter seeks educational avenues in several ways. We sponsor a DAR Good Citizen Essay Contest, which is for seniors, give Constitution Week goody bags to some Second-Grade classes, purchase school supplies, teach ESL (English as a Second Language), and provide two scholarships at the Kate Duncan Smith DAR School in Grant, Alabama.”
One unique aspect of the group’s community involvement is a decorated tree at Fat Boy’s BBQ.
“In June 2021, Barbara Russell was asked to decorate a Christmas tree to highlight the American Revolutionary Patriots of our members,” Clements explained. “The Patriot Tree was displayed at the Autauga County Courthouse in July 2021. She created silhouette ornaments for each patriot, with their names on each one. Several members met to decorate the tree with the silhouette ornaments, American Flags, and patriotic garland.”
The Regent added that the decorated tree grew into much more than a one-time event, saying that in July of last year, while attending an online National Society Daughters of the American Revolution annual meeting, she heard about a Commemorative Event for the 20th Anniversary of 9/11.
“The suggestion was made to honor those who perished on that day, and the idea was born,” she said.
Not being able to use the courthouse, Clements began to search Prattville for an appropriate place to display what would become known as, The Fallen Tree, highlighting the victims of 9/11.
“Not having luck at several places of business, Danny Loftin, owner of Fat Boy’s Bar-B-Q Ranch in Prattville, was thrilled to offer a space in his dining room,” stated Clements. “A tree was borrowed and had to be returned in 30 days. When Danny was told that we would be taking the tree down, he seemed very disappointed. He offered to let us use his Christmas tree throughout the year for different displays, except Christmas, when he would decorate it.”
All of the trees that have been decorated since then have been designed to share educational and historical information, while involving as much patriotism as possible. A theme of red, white and blue are often used on the trees, which can be seen on the bows on the tree, the handmade tree skirts sewn by Betsy Skelton, flag decorations and background colors for many ornaments. Each tree is accompanied by a display that sits at the base of the tree and each title is somehow tied into the roots, branches and trees.
A few days ago, the group took down the current tree, “Honoring WWII Veterans with Branches and Roots in our Community,” to create a new focus on the historical roots of the American flag.
“Our project’s purpose was to honor and remember living and deceased World War II veterans with ties to Autauga County, Alabama. These ties included being born, died, or buried in Autauga County, as well as only residing in Autauga County,” Clements said. “In addition, we included relatives of the Atagi Chapter DAR that served during WW II, as well as four living Autauga County residents.”
The four living veterans honored were, Lt. Col. (Ret. USAF) Melvin G. Cooper, Lt. Col. (Ret. USAF) Harold Howell, Capt. (Ret.) Robert Shafton Kohn, and Capt. (Ret.) Marvin G. Smith.
The chapter recently celebrated their 10th anniversary and awarded Hazel Phillips with the DAR Women in American History medal and certificate. She was being honored for her contributions as a “Rosie the Riveter” in World War II, organizing the Atagi Chapter, and scholarship contributions to the Kate Duncan Smith DAR School.
Also, a V-E (Victory in Europe) Day Celebration was held in early May honoring the remaining four World War II Living Veterans from Autauga County.
Daughters of the American Revolution members come from a variety of backgrounds and interests, but all share a common bond of having an ancestor who helped contribute to securing the independence of the United States of America. Any woman 18 years or older, regardless of race, religion, or ethnic background, who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution is eligible to join.
Those interested in learning more about the Atagi Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution can call Kathy Clements at 334-462-0359, email [email protected]
or go online and visit www.atagiasdar.weebly.com.
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