European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - May 23, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Magazine first lady mrs. Benjamin Harrison Center was the first president general of the Dar. In this 1890 photograph she is pictured with other organizers of the  Ink s brin8insdara-ja11 Jlko to Germany by Ron Jensen staff writer i n october 1890, the first meeting of the National society of the daughters of the american revolution was held at the Strathmore arms in Washington . Before the Dar reaches its 100th birthday this autumn Chris Lacy Moyer would like to have a chapter formed in West Germany. Quot when i first came Here i thought there was a chapter Here Quot says Moyer a third Grade Dodds teacher in Kitzinger. Quot i just assumed there was a chapter because there were so Many military  she was wrong. There has not been a Dar chapter in Germany since before world War ii. Quot i thought Well we ought to Start one a Quot she says. Of course membership is somewhat limited. To join a person must prove that an ancestor took part in the american revolutionary War. Moyer explains a you need three documents from every generation Back to that Point Quot to prove the ancestral link. It took her two years to find her link a Absalom Looney one of the 16 sons of Robert Looney. Quot Absalom and most of his Brothers fought in the War Quot she says. Helping form the chapter in Germany is Susan Cothran principal of the Heilbronn elementary and Junior High school. She is a descendant of Christian Markle. Quot he enlisted two or three times in the army and was present at the surrender of Cornwallis Quot she says. Sally Devin a Counselor with the army education system in Bobingen is descended from maj. Samuel Baker who was Lafayette a translator. Devin is also descended from an Early Dar organizer Bertha Devin Allen who helped form chapters in Ohio and Nebraska. To form a new chapter requires at least eight members. There Are More than that number willing to join Moyers chapter but not All have completed tracing their heritage to the american revolution. An overseas chapter of this very american organization is not unique. Australia the Philippines France Mexico the United kingdom and Canada Are Home to a total of 10 Dar chapters. The largest chapter abroad is the Rochambeau chapter in Paris says Virginia Russell the National chairman of overseas chapters. All of the members Are French. Quot there were quite a few frenchmen who died at Yorktown Quot says Russell. Most of the members of the Paris chapter Are descendants of its namesake count de Rochambeau commander of the French military forces in America during the revolutionary War. Quot we have the Creme de la Creme there Quot Russell says. Quot these ladies Are countess this and countess  Paris once boasted two chapters. The Benjamin Franklin chapter named for the great american who was the first minister to France no longer exists. Among the duties of the Rochambeau chapter is the care of the cemetery where the Marquis de Lafayette is buried in five barrels of soil brought from Virginia there was a chapter in Berlin before world War ii Russell says. It was called the Baron von Steuben chapter named after the German born american general from the revolutionary War. That chapter was made up of american women living permanently in Berlin but it did not re organize after world War ii. A delegation of members from America is planning a trip to Berlin in Spring 1991 to Trace the efforts of that chapter. Russell says the group will look for a plaque placed at the Birthplace of von Steuben by the Dar chapter. If it is not found it will be replaced. Russell is encouraged by Moyers efforts in West Germany. Quot we have to get that chapter established Quot she says. However she wants members who will be longtime residents of West Germany. If the members Are abroad for a limited period of time the chapter will die when they leave. Moyer Devin and Cothran All have been members of Dar. They joined for a very simple reason they say. Quot the Dar is what keeps alive the traditions of our founding fathers a says Devin. Quot i think the Constitution is very important. That May sound Hokey but i think it s  that was the reasoning too 100 years ago. The nation had just celebrated its Centennial and was pointing toward the 400th anniversary of Columbus voyage to the new world. Patriotism was rampant. Men joined such organizations As the society of the Cincinnati which was started soon after the revolution the sons of revolutionary sires the sons of the revolution and the sons of the american revolution. But there was no Way for women to show their patriotic Fervour. To remedy that the Dar was founded with first lady Caroline Scott Harrison unanimously elected As the first president general she was the wife of president Benjamin Harrison. The Dar is involved in a myriad of patriotic endeavours from providing scholarships to maintaining historical Sites to lobbying for legislation of importance to its members. Most of All Moyer says it preserves the history of the United states. And members take Pride in knowing they Are linked to a major piece of that history. Quot no matter How minuscule we All share a part of that Quot Moyer says. Chris Lacy Moyer. Susan Cothran. Sally Devin. A amps photos John Millar wednesday May 23, 1990 the stars and stripes a a a Page 13