Five new members were welcomed by Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) General John A Sutter Chapter at the Saturday, May 17. LeAnn Dickenson, left, Celeste Cox, Daughters of the American Revolution Chapter regent, center, and Cari Schrager are presented welcoming gifts by the chapter membership. Photo by Thomas J. Sullivan

CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - Long-time Citrus Heights resident, Paul Reyes, junior past commander of the Citrus Heights American Legion Post 637 and a Marine veteran of the Vietnam War, has been honored by the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) General John A. Sutter Chapter with its 2024 annual Community Service Award.

The award was presented to Reyes by Celeste Cox, DAR chapter regent, at its May 17 meeting at the Sylvan Community Center, 7521 Community Drive, Citrus Heights. 

Five new Daughters of the American Revolution chapter members were also installed at the Mother’s Day themed general membership meeting: Alison Guernesy, Cari Schrager, Joanmarie Rose, Rebecca Adams and LeAnn Dickenson. Schrager and Dickenson received their welcoming gifts in person from Celeste Cox, Daughters of the American Revolution Chapter regent.

Cox said that the Daughters of the American Revolution’s annual Community Service Award recognizes individuals who demonstrate exemplary volunteer service to the community, in sharing their time, talent and treasure with others. 

In her citation, Cox provided multiple examples of how Reyes continues to actively make a difference in the community in many meaningful ways.

Reyes, a Citrus Heights resident since 1991, is a retired Marine gunnery sergeant and a two-tour Vietnam veteran from 1969 to 1971.

He graciously thanked the members of the Daughters of the American Revolution for the honor given him, speaking humbly about how his personal belief that helping others has never been about recognition but is “the right thing to do.”

“I’m also grateful for so many wonderful people in the community whom I count on for their continued friendship and support who help make a difference,” Reyes said.

Reyes and fellow Legion Post members have led the city’s annual Memorial Day observance held at Sylvan Cemetery and organized its annual “Battle of the Bands and BBQ” that raises money for veterans helping their fellow veterans. 

Paul Reyes, junior past commander of the Citrus Heights American Legion Post 637 and a Marine veteran of the Vietnam War, left, was honored by the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) General John A. Sutter Chapter with its 2024 annual Community Service Award. Reyes received a citation from Celeste Cox, Daughters of the American Revolution Chapter regent. Photo by Thomas J. Sullivan

In 2023, Reyes spearheaded bringing the mobile Vietnam Veterans Memorial “Wall That Heals” to Citrus Heights, which was temporarily erected at Rusch Park. 

He also serves on the board of the Citrus Heights Veterans Memorial Project, a nonprofit veteran’s organization that now plans to construct the first permanent 80 percent-replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall on the premises of Calvary Cemetery. The replica of the original wall located in Washington, DC, will be constructed of India Black granite and the names will be engraved, not etched, just as they are on the wall in Washington, D.C.

“This project is not for me, not for my Legon Post but rather for the 58,281 whose names are on that Wall who sacrificed it all,” Reyes told Daughters of the American Revolution members.

Reyes said he’s hopeful that construction (of the memorial) can begin soon and appreciates the generous donations from the public to make the project a reality.

The Citrus Heights Vietnam Memorial Project at CHVMP.org is responsible for raising funds for construction and for an endowment for the memorial’s future maintenance. The anticipated construction costs are estimated to exceed $3.5 million, according to the City of Citrus Heights.

The General John A. Sutter Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR or DAR), a nonprofit, nonpolitical organization, meets at the Sylvan Community Center, 7521 Community Drive in Citrus Heights.

Women who are 18 years of age and older and descended from a parent who aided in achieving American independence between April 19, 1775, and Nov. 26, 1783, can apply for Daughters of the American Revolution membership.

For more information about upcoming events or membership, email [email protected].