USM Veterans Center, Daughters of the American Revolution Local Chapter Team Up for Tree and Marker Dedication

Wed, 11/01/2023 - 03:54pm | By: Van Arnold

The incomprehensible sacrifices made by American colonists more than 250 years ago gained special attention on Wednesday, Nov. 1 at The University of Southern Mississippi’s (USM) Center for Military Veterans, Service Members and Families with a ceremony dedicated to those sacrifices.

Designated “Give Me Liberty! Meet at the Tree!”, the ceremony featured the dedication of an elm tree on the center’s grounds as well as the dedication and unveiling of a National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) America 250 Patriots Marker.

The event was co-hosted by the Hattiesburg Twentieth Star Chapter, NSDAR. Twentieth Star Chapter, as dictated by NSDAR protocol, has dedicated the Liberty Tree and Patriots Marker and established their placement as an historic site to kick off Hattiesburg’s celebration of the semi quincentennial of the country.

The elm tree represents a profound moment in the declaration of American independence from Great Britain. In 1765, a small group of patriots met for the first time at a venerable elm tree (which became known later as the Liberty Tree) to establish opposition to the Stamp Act.

“This event and dedication honor and mark the 250^th anniversary of the birth of our nation – one that was won through struggle, sacrifice and love for people of freedom,” said Maj. Gen. Jeff Hammond (U.S. Army ret.), who serves as the center’s director. “The Liberty Tree provides a symbol of community, whereas the DAR Patriots Marker symbolizes respect, honor, and awe for those who sacrificed so much that we might have a United States of America.”

Twentieth Star Chapter Registrar Norma Williamson and Vice Regent Susan Perry served as co-chairs of the ceremonial event. Both have been volunteering routinely at the USM Veterans Center since its official ribbon-cutting in February 2022, assisting the University’s Physical Plant with landscape maintenance.

Williamson considers the local DAR chapter to be fortunate that USM’s Veterans Center agreed to the tree planting and commemorative marker.

“Now, our chapter and the center will be forever linked, and this is a high honor for us,” said Williamson. “The mission of DAR is to promote historic preservation, education, and patriotism, and that includes honoring our veterans, past and present, who have given so much so our country can be free.”

Added Perry, “The Center for Military Veterans, Service Members and Families has a caring staff that offers guidance, support and help to the military students from admission to USM until they begin their careers. With a Veterans Service Officer on site, veterans in the community can also be served at this location. This, along with a beautiful and highly functional facility to accommodate students’ needs, makes this Veterans Center truly one of a kind.”

The fact that DAR’s local chapter reached out to USM’s Veterans Center with the tree and marker idea left Hammond almost speechless.

“The USM Veterans Center is humbled and equally honored that such a remarkable institution as DAR would consider our involvement in this wonderful event,” said Hammond. “The DAR America 250 Patriots Marker could have been located anywhere across South Mississippi, but the fact that we were selected to caretake this wonderful monument is almost beyond our comprehension. We are grateful to the ladies of the DAR, particularly Norma Williamson and Susan Perry and hope to live up to their respective expectations and, at all times, render the appropriate honors.”

To learn more about USM’s Center for Military Veterans, Service Members and Families, call 601.266.8387.

Learn more about the NSDAR Twentieth Star Chapter.