A story aired on Fox News’ early morning show “Fox and Friends” Thursday reporting that the national Daughters of the American Revolution organization’s president had issued a directive removing the word “God” from its motto is not true, Mississippi’s state regent says.
The story also said the chapters were directed not to sing “America the Beautiful” and that the words “white crosses” were taken from a poem referring to America’s fallen soldiers.
“I am aware of this story. I am in and out of Washington and can tell you exactly what really happened,” Janet Whittington said. “In the DAR we have a Ritual Book, with sample prayers, memorial services, etc. We get a new one every three years.
“In this particular administration, we have had several requests for more generic prayers. Think of a place like Manhattan, where there are many types of people. Nobody, not one person, took God out of anything. There are a couple of women who got on their ‘high horse’ a while ago,” she said.
Whittington said the group has “a range of prayers,” and people may use any of them or make up their own. They also may still sing “America the Beautiful” and “Star Spangled Banner,” she said.
“The new book is more generic, not using the name Jesus,” she said. “It says, ‘Our father’ or ‘We ask your blessings,’ but a chapter can use anything it wants. The old ones are online. No chapter has been instructed to use anything in particular.”
She said the story likely originated from Virginia, where a woman and her lawyer complained to the national board.
“She’s a nut,” Whittington said.
“These women on the national board are Christian women. We pray all the time — sincere prayers,” she said.
Whittington said she is proud to be part of the DAR. “If I thought it was off the path, I would be out the door,” she said. “Our motto is ‘God, Home and Country.’ It hasn’t changed.”
