My sister and I qualify for Daughters of the American Revolution on my Mom’s side. We are first cousins to Ben Franklin (10 times removed). My Dads side of the family fought for the Confederacy in the misunderstanding.
You should see if you qualify to join the Colonial Dames.
My mother and aunt were members of the DAR. Our ancestor was a captain in a frontier militia in western Pennsylvania who fought in the Revolution and was a prisoner of the British for more than a year. His descendants included veterans of the War of 1812 and the Civil War. The other side of my mother’s family fought for the Union in the Civil War. There are Grand Army of the Republic markers on their graves in a cemetery only ten miles from where I live.
You bet I want to honor their sacrifices. It disgusts me that Thanksgiving is now only referred to as “turkey day.” We hardly even mention the Pilgrims and the terrible hardships they suffered the first winter when half of them died from illness and hunger. Our history isn’t even taught anymore.
My 5th Great Grandfather Wintered at Morristown and Valley Forge. Came into the War from the North Carolina Militia and was enlisted from start to finish. Most of my ancestors have been here since the 1600’s. My Grand Mother’s family was part of William Penn’s first settlers. I think I might be a Heritage American.
For what it’s worth my wife is first generation from an immigrant family, and I think she is just as American as I am.