Signal Hill NSDAR Presents 'Distinguished Citizen Medal for National Defense'
Signal Hill Chapter, NSDAR, presented Lauren Rae Constantino the DAR Distinguished Citizen Medal for National Defense at their March 2021 virtual chapter meeting. Lauren has distinguished herself in her commitment to service and patriotism via her military service, her first responder service, and her charitable service. As a female in mostly male dominated fields, she has demonstrated leadership.
Lauren, a senior at Indiana University-Bloomington with a double major in Criminal Justice and International studies, will graduate in May 2021. She is an Army ROTC Cadet and a member of the Indiana National Guard. Lauren has pursued and persisted in accomplishing her goals of becoming a campus police officer, to “serve and protect - demonstrating both honor and courage. Also, Lauren is 2nd Vice President of Shield 23 Foundation, Inc., a 501 (c) (3) organization that was formed in her father's memory. It raises funds for and gifts funds to firefighters battling cancer and the families that stand beside them (www.Shield23Foundtion.org).
The Distinguished Citizen Award consists of two items: a Certificate from the DAR National Headquarters and a two-piece ribbon and bar. DAR Illinois State Regent Sharla Luken and DAR Illinois National Defense Chairman Sheila Albright also attended the Zoom meeting to congratulate Lauren, then the certificate was presented to her. Signal Hill DAR treasurer and Lauren’s grandmother, Donna Cardwell, had the honor of pinning on the medal and bar. Other present for the ceremony were Signal Hill DAR Patriot Chairman and Lauren’s mother, Shenandoah Constantino; Signal Hill 2nd Vice Regent Susan Olund (her great aunt) and DAR American 250! Chairman Jackie Marcus.
The DAR Distinguished Citizen Medal for Defense was introduced in 2013 to recognize individuals, eighteen years of age and older, who fulfill the qualities of honor, service, courage, leadership, and patriotism. The Medal is awarded to emergency first responders; active duty military and veterans of the United States Armed Forces; and citizens who have contributed to the defense and security of the community, state, or nation in an exceptional manner. This is the first time the Award has been presented by the Signal Hill Chapter, NSDAR.
The Signal Hill Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) was founded in Barrington, IL in 1972. NSDAR is a volunteer women’s service organization headquartered in Washington, D.C. Since its founding in 1890 over one million women have joined both nationally and around the world. The local Barrington Chapter raises funds throughout the year and distributes them to 501 (c) (3) organizations whose missions support that of NSDAR: historic preservation, education, and patriotism. Membership in NSDAR is open to any woman age 18 and over who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution. For more information: https://signalhilldar.com.