Alabama DAR Member Receives Recognition from US Department of Defense

A representative from the U.S. Department of Defense presented a Certificate of Appreciation to AL recipient, Sandra Lee Meadows Robertson of Montgomery, AL, on June 28, 2024 at the NASDAR 133rd Continental Congress in Washington, D.C. Meadows is an outstanding AL DAR member. She is a Vietnam era Gold Star wife and is a member of Gold Star Wives of America, Inc. Her husband, Major Pierce I. Robertson, was serving in the US Army as a Rotary Wing Aviation Unit Commander, 227"' Assault Helicopter Battalion, 1st Calvary Division at the time of his death on October 9, 1966, in Vietnam. She has been a member of Gold Star Wives of America, Inc. since January 1969 when she and another widow started the Wiregrass Chapter at Fort Rucker, Alabama. Since that time, she has held an office in the organization serving as National President, Vice President, President Emeritus, Parliamentarian and Treasurer. She has been involved in many of the organization's committees and presided as chair of the Budget, Legal Compliance. She currently serves as Chair of the Constitution and Bylaws, Standing Rules, and as the newly created Administration Chair. In addition, she serves as Director, representing the SE Region.

Since 1969, Robertson has worked tirelessly to assist surviving spouses with any benefit and medical issues at the Central Alabama Veterans Hospital. Since 2003, she has served on the Central Alabama Veterans Hospital Voluntary Services Committee. In 2022, Robertson was appointed to a three-year term as DAR Deputy for the VA Volunteer Services - Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System (formerly VAVS) – West Campus (Montgomery).

Robertson is also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 911 and Blue Star Salute Foundation, Inc. She is a member and serves in the Retired Officers Wives Club of Montgomery, Military Officers Association of America, Support Committee Alabama National Cemetery and Marine Corps League #920 Townsend Detachment. Robertson yearly attends the National Veterans Awards Banquet in Birmingham, and on the next day, she drives her vehicle in Birmingham's National Veterans Day Parade representing Gold Star Wives of America, Inc. accompanied by other national officers.

Robertson volunteers at the Alabama Department of Archives and History scanning veteran's military records. Every year, Robertson faithfully participates in Wreaths Across America, the Annual State Capitol Program with Governor Kay Ivey, the POW-MIA Annual Ceremony at the Alabama State Capitol, the Alabama National Cemetery Program presenting Flags and/or wreaths, purchases ceramic poppies in remembrance of her family veterans and attends the Alabama Poppy Project in Prattville.