The residents of Vancrest of Van Wert Assisted Living Facility recently hosted the Isaac Van Wart Daughters of the American Revolution(IVW-DAR) (NSDAR) for a program about the Revolutionary War to learn about ties to the city and county. During that presentation the Veterans, living at Vancrest, received special Veterans t-shirts from the Chapter with heartfelt thanks for their service to the USA. The top picture is of the Veterans present at the program, other residents, and the DAR members. Three of the men are holding their t-shirts. Following the presentation, Regent Deb Hardeman introduced the DAR members to the group, explained that the DAR Chapter is 115 years old, went on to tell about regular projects done throughout the year, and then told the group about everything special that IVW-
DAR is doing (during 2026) to make the America250! semi quincentennial a spectacular event in Van Wert City and Van Wert County. Deb then introduced speaker IVW-DAR member, Sheila Baltzell-Linn.

Sheila, dressed in Colonial attire, had a display of the three busts of the Revolutionary War Heroes: David Williams; Isaac Van Wart and John Paulding, and spoke about the heroic actions of the young militiamen in New York. The barely 20-somethings were on road patrol and caught the British spy Major John Andre traveling from Fort West Point. They detained and searched him, eventually locating paperwork in his sock that implicated Major General Benedict Arnold in a devious plan to allow the British to capture Ft. West Point. Arnold got away, Andre was hanged for spying and colluding, and the young men became the first heroes of the Revolutionary War. Sheila explained all about this event and the lives of the men. She detailed how she found the bronze bust in New York at a museum and eventually Commissioner Thad, and wife Deb, Lichtensteiger and his mother Janice Lichtensteiger provided the funding to have the busts 3-D scanned, printed and brought to Van Wert (from the Fenimore Museum in Cooperstown, NY) for the 250th celebration and a permanent home in Van Wert, OH. Photos provided by members.