A half-century of service recognized

The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution is a "non-profit, non-political volunteer women's service organization dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history, and securing America's future through better education for children."

For 50 years, Helen Roberta "Bobbi" Burrows Schmid, a Bay Village resident, has more than fulfilled those DAR responsibilities as part of the Martha Devotion Huntington Chapter NSDAR. On June 5, 2010, Bobbi was awarded one of DAR’s most-cherished awards – a 50-year Member Certificate.

A DAR Member must document direct lineal descent from a patriot who fought in our 1776 War for Independence or a civilian patriot who supported "The Cause." Bobbi’s DAR membership was certified on December 2, 1959, through her relative, American Revolutionary War patriot Matthew Graves (1735-1824), a Private from Whately Straits, Mass., who served under Captains Dinsmore and Oliver.

Bobbi was a Chapter Regent from 1984 to 1986. She has served, and continues to serve, on many Chapter, State and National Committees.

Her family is a testament to a DAR Membership legacy. Bobbi’s daughter, Marcia Ruth Schmid Bobal, of Arlington, Va., received her 25-year Certificate of Membership on June 5. Christine Margaret Bobal, Bobbi’s granddaughter, is also a DAR Member. All are Members of Bay Village’s Martha Devotion Huntington Chapter NSDAR.

For more DAR information, contact Chapter Regent Doris Gorgas at 440-835-0794 or lablady76@wowway.com.

Deb Marisch lives in Bay Village and is the Librarian/Historian of the Martha Devotion Huntington Chapter NSDAR.