Daughters of the American Revolution members Lori Howard and Lonnie Kirsch accept the Constitution Week proclamation from Mayor Dowling Watford during the Sept.3 meeting of the Okeechobee City Council.

Photo courtesy City of Okeechobee

OKEECHOBEE — Also, during the meeting, Mayor Dowling Watford proclaimed the week of Sept. 17-23, 2026, as Constitution Week. Lonnie Kirsch, Regent for the local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and Lori Howard, who is their Constitution Week Committee Chairman, accepted the proclamation.

Kirsch said, “Since this is the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and us having the rights that we have, it's very important that you understand what DAR stands for. We stand for Patriotism, Education, and Historic Preservation. And so, if any of you are interested in these ideals, or if you have an interest, there is an association called the FAR, which is the Sons of the American Revolution. My husband is the president of that. Why, I don't know. And also, the Daughters of the American Revolution. There's also one for children, so Children of the American Revolution. But if any of you are interested, I would be happy to help you to become a member of this organization. If you believe in the Constitution of the United States, and you believe what it stands for, and you trust that patriotism is something that is important, and historic preservation is something important, please think about it and get in touch with me. Thank you so much for letting us come tonight.”

Okeechobee DAR Chapter meets at 10 a.m. on the second Saturday of the month, Oct - May, at the First Methodist Fellowship Hall or announced locations.