Day of Service: DAR members clean gravestones

For the Daughters of the American Revolution Day of Service Oct. 7, the Col. David Hall Chapter cleaned gravestones at Lewes Presbyterian Church. Thirteen chapter members, two husbands and two members of the Caesar Rodney Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution, cleaned 70 gravestones and foot stones using D2 biologic cleaner, the same cleaning solution used at Arlington National Cemetery.

“Amazingly, the D2 cleaner continues to whiten stones with sun and rain for several future months,” said Regent Patricia Haas.

Last year, chapter members cleaned 39 gravestones at the church and found four Revolutionary War patriots. The cemetery is also the resting place of the chapter’s namesake, Col. David Hall, a Revolutionary War hero who lived in Lewes.  

“We are honored to perform this community service and promote the DAR tenets of historic preservation, patriotism and education,” Haas said.

The DAR is open to women 18 years or older, regardless of race, religion or ethnic background, who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution, who helped contribute to securing independence of the United States. For more information, contact Haas at phaas5757@gmail.com.