Veterans Day Ceremony on Tuesday, November 11, 2025

                                                  ST. JAMES VETERANS DAY CEREMONY

The Richard H. Stewart, Jr. American Legion Post 543 will host its annual Veterans Day Ceremony on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at the Homer E. Wright Event Center on Route 211 in St. James. The ceremony will begin promptly at 11:00 a.m.

The program will include the presentation of colors, patriotic music, and recognition of veterans by branch of service. This year’s keynote speaker is Dr. Keith Castille, who served more than 28 years in the United States Air Force, rising to the highest enlisted grade of Chief Master Sergeant. His final active-duty assignment was as Senior Enlisted Leader, Office of the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, at the Pentagon. Following retirement, Dr. Castille settled in Richmond, Virginia, where he is co-owner of C2H, LLC and serves as an independent consultant specializing in force development, policy implementation, and business solutions.

This event is open to the public, and all veterans and community members are warmly invited to attend as we come together to honor those who have served our nation in uniform.

"Birthday in a Bag" Presented to the Fort Bragg Army Base by President Michele Russell

 

On October 17, 2025,  President Michele Russell delivered 24 "Birthday in a Bag" donations to the YMCA Food Pantry at the Fort Bragg Army Base. Each "Birthday in a Bag" included 1 box of cake mix, 1 container of frosting, 1 package of birthday candles, 1 package of birthday-themed paper plates, and 1 happy birthday banner. 2 YMCA staff members are pictured accepting the donation. Included in the donation were 20 toothbrushes donated to our chapter. The toothbrushes will be added to "Care Bags" put together by the food pantry and given to active duty members.

Commissioner Charles Gause No.433 Chapter of the National Society of the United States Daughters of 1812 Held Their State Meeting in August 2, 2025025

 

L to R:  Yvonne Brown, Jane Johnson, Cindy Sellers, Pat Gooding, Suzanne Palmer, Carol Jutte, Carole Weiss, Susan Woodwardand her daughter Kathleen Benidict. Missing from photo, but in attendance Michele Russell.

The 1812 State Meeting was held on August 2nd at the NC State University Club in Raleigh.This was taken right after lunch.

Commissioner Charles Gause No.433 Chapter of the National Society of the United States Daughters of 1812 Held their October Meeting on the 4th

                                                                  Birthday in a Bag...

The Daughters of 1812 Commissioner Charles Gause chapter put together dozens of bags filled with everything soldiers would need for a birthday party. We believe families of our active military appreciate any help they can get, so this is how we celebrated our military families. All the Birthday Bags were taken to Fort Bragg.

President Michele Russell presented the National Society United States Daughters of 1812 award to Phyllis Wilson, Commissioner Charles Gause Chapter, NC, a certificate for her outstanding contributions to Veterans.

Phyllis has managed the 1812 blog since 2011 and has worked with Wreaths Across America since 2010, attempting to put a wreath on all 5,126 veterans' graves at Wilmington National Cemetery.

Treasurer Cindy Sellers and Recording/Corresponding Secretary Caron Myers are busily working during the 1812 meeting.

Below are photos of 1812 members writing cards to servicemen. The cards will be distributed to “Adopt a Soldier” or “Hugs for Soldiers.” Members took about an hour to create the bags and write cards, which were then gathered up and ready to be taken to Fayetteville. 

L to R. Jackie LaMar and Registrar Suzanne Palmer writing notes to servicemen.

Pam Proctor and Bettie Lettieri wrote notes to servicement during the 1812 meeting. Also, Congratulations, Bettie on your 90th birthday. You look fantastic.

1812 members are busily writing cards for servicemen.

Pat Tucker on the left and in front, Ruth Rice and in the back new 1812 member Keidre Koenig wrote cards to servicement.

Carol Hart, Yvonne Brown and Linda Lashley busily wrote cards to service during the 1812 meeting.

We Will Never Forget - 9/11 REMEMBRANCE CEREMONY

 

June 7, 2025 Meeting of the Daughters of Commissioner Charles Gause No. 433 Chapter of the National Society of US Daughters of 1812

 

Secretary, Caron Myers introduced the guest speaker, Yvonne Brown, who is an expert in making Colonial attire. Yvonne started making clothes as a little girl and eventually began making period clothing. Yvonne has a home in Greensboro, NC and one in the Supply area where she has a studio for dressmaking. Yvonne displayed several different outfits shown below in styles from 1765-the early 1800s. She showed us how the styles changed over those years, and how the fabrics also changed. She showed the difference between the French style, which was always cutting edge, similar to the way it is today. to the English style, which was cheaper, using less fabaric by sewing little pleats in the back of the gown, to the Italian style, which used cotton, since that was cheaper than using silk. She also oshowed the difference between what an upper-cclass lady would wear, verus someone of a lower standing. Yvonne displayed several outfits that she had created on a mannequin, with riding coats, scarves and various cuffs and told how buttons were seldom used. Instead, she said outfits were held togeth with pins.

Information provided by Caron Myers.

I am holding mini example of gown with two different cuffs. My dress is a jacket with a petticoat(skirt). This was worn by all classes for everyday wear. Model wearing under pinnings and petticoat

Model has on Redingote coat dress which can be worn for all, but formal occasions. It was a very popular style 1770's

French style gown with long back in 1760"s. Called a sack dress and was going out of style in early 70's.

    A more practical style is the Italian style which came to a low                 V-shape in the back waist. By this time the fabrics were cotton and lighter fabric. 

Thank you Michele Russell, Susan DeGroote and Caron Myers for the photographs.

Memorial Day