David City DAR Presents Seward Community Service Award to SHS Senior Cyndralynn Meredith

October 16, 2025

Launch the media gallery 1 player

The David City DAR Chapter (Daughters of the American Revolution) held a special
award presentation ceremony on Sunday, October 12, 2025, at the Seward Civic Center
at 2:00 pm in the lower level. Mary Dolan, with the David City Chapter of the DAR,
served as the Emcee. The event was to honor members of the Seward Community for
their work in Conservation, Historic Preservation, Patriotism and Community Service.
The DAR Community Service Award was presented to Cyndralynn Meredith-a senior at
Seward High, for her extensive hours of volunteer efforts on a host of activities.
The afternoon program opened with the presentation of the presentation of the DAR
Founder’s Medal-the top and most prestigious award by the DAR. The Founder’s
Medal was awarded to Gerald (Jerry) Meyer of Seward, the historian of the Nebraska
National Guard Museum and longtime volunteer and former, active-duty soldier of the
Nebraska National Guard with three tours overseas. It was noted that during his
longtime teaching career at Columbus High, he was the founder of the Higgins
Memorial in Columbus, and he now also leads historic tours to France every other
summer-along with promoting a host of historic exhibits and activities and the Ne
National Guard Museum.
The DAR Excellence in Historic Preservation was presented to the Seward Cattle
Family-represented by Dr. Van and Becky (Cattle) Vahle for their many efforts to
preserve and promote history in Seward and their longtime support of the Nebraska
National Guard history efforts- especially for the sponsorship, preservation and
promotion of the Ne National Guard’s Higgins boat.
Also receiving the DAR Excellence in Historic Preservation was The Olde Glory
Foundation for preserving the oldest church in Seward and promoting its historical
significance, and the significant work promoting entertainment in the historical setting.
The Olde Glory award was accepted by Vicki Luebbe, Denise Christiansen and Melanie
Suhr.
The Marion Lux Family was also recognized with the DAR Excellence in Historic
Preservation-as they keep the Marion Lux Hero story alive and even placed an historic
marker to commemorate his historic valor. They were represented by Donna Rios and
members of the Marion Lux Family.
Bradon Mares of Beaver Crossing, Ne was the recipient of the NSDAR Conservation
Award for his numerous tree planting promotions throughout the Beaver Crossing area
and keeping the concept of “Going Green” alive in the Beaver Crossing, Ne area.

The DAR Community Service Award was presented to Cyndralynn Meredith-a senior at
Seward High, for her extensive hours of volunteer efforts on a host of activities.
The DAR America 250 Commendation Medal was presented to the Seward Fourth of
July Celebration Committee and the Nebraska National Guard Museum for their
leadership in promoting the approaching “America 250” Celebration and hosting the
grand celebration on July 4, 2026. Representing the Ne National Guard Museum were
Museum Docents Steve and Sharon Hambek-Sharon also serves on the Ne National
Guard Museum Historical Society. Representing the Seward July 4 Committee were
Jessica Kolterman, Riley Nuttleman, Steve and Sharon Hambek, Kent Krisp, Clark
Kolterman and Dr. Van Vahle.
A special salute was presented to honor the 250 th Anniversary of the United States Navy
by the David City Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the program
concluded with special thanks and refreshments compliments of the David City Chapter
of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Photo: July 4 members include L-R Kent Krisp, Jessica Kolterman, Mary Dolan, Clark
Kolterman, Dr. Van Vahle, Riley Nuttleman, Sharon Hambek and Steve Hambek
recipents of the DAR America 250 Commendation Medal and two US Flags-a new one
that just flew over DAR Headquarters in Washington DC and a new “Besty Ross” flag.
Photo; Old Glory Foundation members included Vicki Luebbe, Mary Dolan DAR Rep,
Denise Christensen and Melanie Suhr. Olde Glory won DAR Excellence in Historic
Preservation.
Photo: Winner in DAR Excellence in Historic Preservation was The Seward Cattle
Family-L-R DAR Rep-Mary Dolan, Becky (Cattle) Vahle and Dr. Van Vahle.
The David City DAR Chapter will be participating in the Seward Semiquincentennial -
July 4, 2025 program at the Civic Center. For more information on the David City DAR,
contact Mary Dolan at dolan.Star@gmail.com or write her at 3013 N 161 st Street,
Omaha, NE  68116.