Meeting Martha and George at State Conference 2023

“We are considered to be America’s Cheerleaders,” she says, “We positively bleed red, white and blue!” Alta Graham knows how to work an audience. She has this subtle half-grin on her face, knowing some may think that such a statement is a little cheesy, but believing it to be true anyway.

Huell Howser Interviewing Alta at the Korean Bell on September 17, 2001 Constitution Day

I first met Alta on a zoom-based chapter meeting in early 2022. Life was just starting to recover from the pandemic lock down and I was looking for an opportunity to use my talents and form a new social network. This meeting was my introduction to the Point Vicente chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. Alta is the Regent (aka President) of the chapter of about 145 women whose goal is to reinforce National’s directive of Historical Preservation, Education and Patriotism.

Prior to learning more about the organization, my only exposure to this “D.A.R.” was a reference from the popular Gilmore Girls television show where the very haughty and well-to-do grandmother consistently referenced her “DAR ladies” and chapter. While the history of the organization may be close to that portrayal, today’s DAR is a bit more diverse and becoming more so every day.

Alta greeting one of the many veterans honored aboard the Battleship IOWA

Alta joined the Daughters 26 years ago as a surprise birthday gift to her mother Jacquelyn Bryant Koch, of South Carolina. Her mother knew that her family roots extended back to the founding of our nation but didn’t have the patience to do the paperwork that the DAR requires to prove it. While her mother was thrilled to share her knowledge of her ancestors, Alta was pleasantly surprised to find that she had found a group of “fascinating, philanthropic and fun” ladies.

Bestowing Honors and Appreciation aboard the Battleship IOWA

The ladies of Point Vicente were thrilled to have Alta join the group and immediately recruited her to work on their newsletter. It wasn’t long after that she was asked to be Regent. They recognized talent when it was presented to them! Of these past 26 years of service, Alta has been Regent six times, totaling 12 years in that capacity. She has proven to be an excellent leader and an even better mentor and guide. One member said, “Alta just knows how to do it. She does everything with the appropriate amount of pomp, circumstance, and ceremony.”

Over the years, Alta has been key in organizing some truly inspirational programs. For Constitution Day she went through training with a Buddhist priest and got approval from the Korean Embassy to ring the Korean Friendship Bell in San Pedro. On September 17, 2001, Huell Howser attended the yearly ceremony with cameras to cover the event at a time when America needed her cheerleaders most.

In 2012 Barack Obama proclaimed a Commemoration of the Vietnam War through 2025. Alta took action and spearheaded making the chapter a Commemorative Community appointed by the Department of Defense to honor, thank and welcome home Vietnam Veterans. The chapter put together many ceremonies that were life changing to the men who attended. Alta personally apologized to them for their treatment, and it was the first time many of them had ever been thanked for their service. There were many cleansing tears shed at these events.

Vietnam Vets wrapped in Quilts of Valor made with love.

The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution was established in 1890 by four women who were turned away from joining the newly formed Sons of the American Revolution. As was typical at the time, the men considered their organization to be fraternal and those pesky women needed to go do their own thing. They did – and in typical feminine fashion, did it bigger and better – if the city block sized colonial DAR Headquarters called Memorial Continental Hall is any indication. The property located adjacent to the White House is one of the largest buildings of its kind owned and maintained exclusively by women.

There are dozens of National committees that a chapter could work on, but it is up to the volunteers and an individual’s passion to make a program happen. The Point Vicente chapter has consistently supported veterans from the Long Beach VA hospital, they hold history essay and art contests as well as celebrate JROTC and Sea Cadet programs for local schools and organizations, and they go to Pacific Crest Cemetery each month to map, clean and make historic record of the graves there. The opportunities to serve are truly endless.

Alta and her hardworking team of volunteers out to honor Veterans

While the Society was formed as a service organization, women joining together to work on a common goal naturally creates bonds. Alta has said that her greatest joy is the friendships she has made, and she looks forward to the meetings and conferences to see old friends and make new ones. It is an organically social organization, even though it was not created or intended as one. I felt that immediately on that zoom call over two years ago and have found some lovely friends in the process.

Ceremony to honor a revolutionary war veteran's grave

The Point Vicente chapter is very active. Each month there are at least a few opportunities to participate, whether it’s an educational speaker, the book club, cleaning grave markers or attending one of the monthly educational field trips. There are opportunities to contribute in many ways, even if it’s as simple as writing a thank you card to a veteran. One can get overwhelmed at the scope that the organization covers on a National, State, District, and local level, but Alta has seemed to stay on top of it all.

As our nation quickly approaches its Semiquincentennial Anniversary, NSDAR has tasked her daughters to wave their pom poms in their communities. Ever the cheerleader, Alta envisioned an event aboard the Battleship IOWA to kick off the three years celebration that is congressionally sanctioned as “America 250!” Bringing the generations together, we honored veterans and JROTC cadets and had a wonderful celebration. It was yet another feather in Alta Graham’s cap!

Meeting at the Battleship IOWA to talk grant opportunities

Alta and Lee Wolfe honoring student essay winner.

Alta and Diana at Freedom of the Seas event aboard the Battleship IOWA

Alta will be handing over the reins to this fledgling member and taking a well-deserved break from the Regency for the next couple of years, but I will be continuing to take advantage of her wisdom and mentorship for the duration. If I ever doubt that I have bitten off more than I could chew, I must remember that moment last April as we stood aboard the deck of the Battleship IOWA watching the LAFD Fireboat in all its glory. Two young cadets squealed that they were getting wet from the spray. Alta had that grin on her face again and said, “Ladies, that’s patriotism raining down on you!”

History of DAR service WWI

SUBSCRIBE FREE TO PALOS VERDES PULSE

Diana R. Starr

Diana is a SoCal native who grew up barefooted on Venice Beach. After college she moved to Phoenix, AZ and then to Seattle, WA where she began her family. After having two busy little boys, she and her family jumped at the opportunity to return home to enjoy the sun and sand. Diana has written several books, likes to volunteer, loves to travel and sample the beautiful things in life.