Sharing a Common Heritage

Karin Nolf and Karen Deshotels both work for the Postal Service and also share a common heritage. Nolf is an Address Management Systems Technician at the West Palm Beach Processing and Distribution Center (P&DC) and Deshotels is an Information Systems Specialist at the South Florida District Office. Both are Daughters of the American Revolution.

DAR members come from a variety of backgrounds and interests, but all share a common bond of having an ancestor who helped contribute to securing the independence of the United States of America. 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 to join.  Daughters are vibrant, active women who are passionate about community service, preserving history, educating children, as well as honoring and supporting those who serve our nation.

This chapter is named in remembrance of an individual who has played an important role in Florida. The development of Palm Beach County, and South Florida in general, was sparked by the investment in the local railroad system by Henry Morrison Flagler. An early partner of Standard Oil with John D. Rockefeller, Flagler left the company in the late 19th century, turning his attention to the creation of a continuous railway system down the east coast of Florida, stretching from Jacksonville to Key West. This railway was instrumental to the rapid growth of Palm Beach County in the 20th century.

The 8th annual city of West Palm Beach Veterans Day Parade took place on November 8.  Held on Clematis Street in West Palm Beach, the parade is a festive occasion that honors and celebrates veterans past and present. Karin Nolf (first row, second from right) and Karen Deshotels (first row, right) participated with their fellow daughters --- other members of the Henry Morrison Flagler Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). Karin Nolf has been selected by her peers to be the chairperson for the chapter's participation in the 2016 veterans parade. 

DAR members Karin Nolf (left) and Karen Deshotels (right) strike a pose before lunch.

Nolf invited new DAR member Deshotels to her first luncheon and meeting held at the Chesterfield Hotel in Palm Beach. Nolf humored the ladies with an account of the veterans parade in West Palm Beach that the chapter participated in for the first time. Three distinguished guests were on hand, two ladies were World War II veterans, and one other was a Vietnam veteran. The chapter also participated in the 2nd Annual Veterans Day parade in Delray Beach on November 11.