Courtesy photo

The 75th annual DAR Cathedral of the Pines service was recently held in Rindge to honor America’s war dead.

New Hampshire National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, led by Kay Sternenberg, State Regent, and Shannon Croteau, State Chaplin, welcomed all, including 13 visiting state Regents from as far away as Alabama and Arizona.

The Presentation and Retiring of the Colors were provided by Sons of the American Revolution. Flag bearers were: Linda Miccio and Connie Guerin from the Buntin-Rumford-Webster Chapter (Concord) and Erin Jackson of the Sarah Josepha Hale Chapter (Star Island).

Music was provided by Nancy Joslin Howard, soloist and State Librarian and Kevin Mathieu, organist.

A warm address by Virginia Grace Lingelbach, National Chaplain General, vividly tells the story of love and acceptance in the face of overwhelming grief, relating the family saga of Horatio and Anna Spoffard who lost their wealth in the famous 1871 Chicago fire and their four young daughters during a tragic sea accident.

Theirs is the story of divine triumph over crushing adversity, believing that God has a reason why things happen. Horatio wrote the hymn It is Well With My Soul after his daughter’s deaths and the lyrics still offer peace to hearts who’ve suffered loss and trust in God’s will to triumph over adversity.

The Daughters of the American Revolution is a non-political, non-profit women’s service organization dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history, and securing America’s future through better education for children. Any woman 18 years or older-regardless of race, religion, or ethnic background-who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution, is eligible for membership. Contact: regent@nhsodar.org