The Rebel Joan Of Arc 2721 Chapter, of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, RJOA Officer of Military Service Awards: CYNTHIA CONNORS, and RJOA President: JENNY LEHR, honored US Navy Veteran: FORREST LEHR for his military service, on
MAY 10TH, 2025. He was presented his “Global War On Terror Medal and Certificate” along with the detailed official approved application that proved him worthy for this Award. Veteran FORREST LEHR earned this prestigious award while serving in the United States Navy. He was deployed nearly four years in the region of terror. He spent time in Afghanistan supporting the United States Armed Forces. Additionally, he was assigned to the USS McFaul and USS Makin Islands as weapons officer while in the Mediterranean Sea. FORREST LEHR is amongst the proud descendants of all those who “have served” in his family, and especially his family Confederate Military Soldiers who gave their “everything to the cause” in the War Between the States.
* Special Thanks to Officer of Military Service Awards: CYNTHIA CONNORS for these important details.
FORREST LEHR is the brother-in-law of President: JENNY LEHR. He was surprised when he arrived for his special Presentation from so many beautiful ladies, to learn his sister-in-law JENNY is the President of this outstanding Rebel Joan Of Arc Chapter! “Modesty” is one of the many qualities of President JENNY LEHR.
The Veterans Ceremony was witnessed by the Chapter and supported by the RJOA Veterans Committee:
ANITA STEVENS, DIANNE KEBODEAUX, CHARLOTTE BELIN, and ELAINE COLLINGS.
JENNY LEHR who donates all the “RJOA Veterans Appreciation Certificates” that RJOA presents to Veterans throughout the year, and Veterans Chairman: CYNTHIA CONNORS spearheads these events for her Chapter.
ANITA STEVENS announced later that she made a special trip to the H.E.A.R.T.S. Veterans Museum of Texas in Huntsville and donated her Father’s Navy uniform!
What a deep heartfelt private occasion that must have been for ANITA STEVENS.
Special Thanks goes to RJOA Officer of Military Service Awards: CYNTHIA CONNORS, for organizing this special award for this “Well-deserved Veteran”, FORREST LEHR, and seeing to all the Applications, “Proofs”, and Deadlines met to send in for consideration by the United Daughters of the Confederacy, in Richmond, Virginia! Veteran: FORREST LEHR was to have received his special Presentation at the Texas Division Convention, of the United Daughters of the Confederacy last Fall, but was unable to attend, so this was a very special occasion for this Chapter at their “Formal End of the Year Meeting”.
President Jenny Lehr Welcomed all Guests and most especially RJOA Charter Member: ROSELANE POLNICK, who was chauffeured by RJOA SHELIA WILLIAMSON!
It was great to have this Charter Member with us again. Pledges and Rituals ere done, as well as the Honored Ancestor Roll Call. Hospitality Chairman: REGINA RINEY passed the Guest Book for All Members to sign.
Additionally at their Meeting following the Military Bestowal, Chapter Business was conducted. Many upcoming “Donations” were voted on, and their Presentation Dates will be announced for Chapter attendance.
Special Thanks went to LAURA McCRACKEN for her donation to a Chapter Fund Raiser drawing at the Meeting, a beautiful antique Roman Glass Necklace and Bracelet! LAURA announced that the Roman Empire was the first known civilization to actually blow glass for use in many items. The Roman Glass jewelry is made from the Roman Glass excavated in Israel from over 2,000 years ago! The Necklace and Bracelet were set in Sterling Silver! LAURA McCRACKEN conducted the drawing and the very excited winner was RJOA CHARLOTTE BELIN!
ELAINE COLLINGS also donated a Red Sequin Jacket towards the Chapter Fund-Raising held at the Meeting. The Auction was held by Auctioneer LYN HOWARD, and the winning bid was won by KELLY HALL, who then gifted the beautiful jacket to her Sister: CHRISSY BARTON! What a lovely act of kindness. All proceeds goes to the RJOA Chapter needs and their many projects, a 501 3c, non-profit organization.
RJOA LAURA McCRACKEN also displayed a beautiful one of a kind Carving Set, with Custom Leather Sheath! This extraordinary set was designed and handmade in Montgomery TEXAS, by artist RON McCRACKEN, known as The Texas Knife Guy.
This Damascus Steel Carving Set is made from 5160, 15N20, Ni200 folded for 416 layer Damascus. The handles are stabilized White Oak. The Custom Sheath is designed to hold both the Fork and the Knife in separate pockets. This Year long Fund-Raiser will culminate April 12, 2026. To have the opportunity on this drawing, contact: Chairman LAURA McCRACKEN – mccracken@consolidated.net, or Members: ELAINE COLLINGS – ehcollings@gmail.com, or JENNY LEHR – rjoalehr@gmail.com.
They will be happy to help you. Not only could you be the winner of this “One-Of A Kind Handmade Carving Set”, but you will be contributing to a good cause that helps our community!
FIVE New excited Members were formally Installed into RJOA & UDC at this Meeting.
**Congratulations to MARY LEE MALEK, KAREN JACOBS, CHRISSY BARTON,
KELLY HALL, and VANESSA ESNARD, and to their Sponsors: LYN HOWARD and
ELAINE COLLINGS. Great Appreciation goes to the outstanding RJOA Registrar: DANEAN MYERS for her “Job Well-Done”!
Supplemental Confederate Ancestor Certificates were also Presented by Registrar: DANEAN MYERS, to CINDY DITTRICH, and BARBARA EDDLEMAN!
** CONGRATULATIONS CINDY AND BARBARA for continuing to Prove and Honor your Confederate Ancestors.
* DARLA SHARER, was Voted as the Chapter’s 2nd only “Honorary Associate Member”, and a well deserved and proud moment with her sister, Guest: Dawn Lewis of Portland, Oregon to witness this special occasion.
For the Mothers Day Weekend, The RJOA Chairman of Southern Arts and Literature:
LYN HOWARD, read the “Ballad of the Heart Weaver” by Edna St. Vincent Millay.
It was a heartbreaking poem of maternal love and sacrifice. LYN HOWARD also serves as Chaplain who delivered the beautiful Prayers for the opening and closing of the RJOA Meeting.
The Arrival of the “Texas Convention Attendee Pin & Bars” was announced by Chairman: ELAINE COLLINGS, and she and Co-Chairman: LYN HOWARD, and Committee Treasurer: JENNY LEHR will travel to pick up in person this important order for all Texas UDC! More exciting news on that later! The proceeds are designated for a Confederate Monument/Marker in the future, which further contributes to our Texas History! ~WHAT AN AWESOME AND NOBEL ENDEAVOR!~
The Members enjoyed the educational Program presented by Texas and local Historian BERNIE SARGENT, who came dressed in period attire for his Subject:
“John Westley Hardin” and how he related to our area, and his family’s support for the Confederacy. He was very entertaining and Informative, and worth hearing again!
Thank You’s goes to RJOA Historian ANITA STEVENS for arranging this special education and historical program for her Chapter.
ANITA STEVENS, Sponsor of DARLA SHARER, was proud to see the surprise Award of the Chapter’s “RJOA SPIRIT BEAR”, presented to DARLA SHARER by the previous receiver, JENNY LEHR. ~CONGRATULATIONS DARLA SHARER!~
All agreed it was a perfect choice!
The meeting was concluded with the Spirited singing of “Dixie”, and All the RJOA Sisters joined hands and hearts for this conclusion and very Blessed Day.
VIZI CALDWELL organized the “RJOA Lunch-Bunch” afterwards for those who could attend and continue to enjoy more time together. Thank You VIZI!
Although the Rebel Joan Of Arc 2721 Formal Meetings of the UDC Year are over, certainly Not their continued events fulfilling their objectives of Historical, Educational, Benevolent, Memorial, and Patriotic. These Belles are always on the go to achieve their objective’s, and emulating the Motto of their TX. Division UDC President, Gina Smith: “Southern Sisters Standing Shoulder to Shoulder, United, Determined, Committed”.
Submitted by RJOA Chairman of Public Relations:
Elaine Collings, ehcollings@gmail.com
Appreciation to Photo Committee: Shelia Williamson
If the full content does not display, visit the article originally published on this site
