Ripley-Lieutenant Byrd Chapter, NSDAR, Ripley, Ohio

Ripley-Lieutenant Byrd Chapter, NSDAR, Ripley, Ohio Do you like history? Education? Patriotism? The Daughters of the American Revolution may be for you!

08/12/2025

In 1967, twenty-year-old Doug Hegdahl was serving aboard the USS Canberra when a freak accident threw him overboard into the Gulf of Tonkin. He was captured by North Vietnamese forces and imprisoned at the notorious Hỏa Lò Prison, known as the Hanoi Hilton. Believing him to be harmless and unintelligent, his captors dubbed him “The Incredibly Stupid One.” But behind the act, Hegdahl was anything but foolish.

He played the role to perfection. Pretending to be illiterate and clueless, he often hummed “Old MacDonald Had a Farm” instead of speaking clearly. What the guards never suspected was that Hegdahl was using the melody of that very song to memorise critical information. Over time, he committed to memory the names, ranks, and capture details of 256 fellow American prisoners, all without writing anything down.

Hegdahl gained unusual freedom around the prison compound, and he used it to his advantage. He sabotaged enemy trucks by dumping dirt into their fuel tanks, and he remained alert, observant, and quietly defiant. His fellow prisoners, recognising his extraordinary memory, helped him collect vital intelligence that could be used once someone escaped or was released.

In 1969, Hegdahl was selected for early release. Though most POWs resisted early freedom to avoid being used for propaganda, his commanding officer urged him to accept it—believing he could do more good by bringing his intelligence home. When he returned, officials were stunned by the accuracy and volume of the information he carried in his mind. His efforts helped confirm the identities and fates of numerous missing servicemen.

Doug Hegdahl’s story is one of extraordinary bravery, patience, and cunning. His quiet defiance, masked by simplicity, became one of the most powerful acts of resistance from inside a prison camp.

Fun Fact: Years later, Hegdahl would publicly recite the entire list of POWs he memorised, singing their names to the tune of “Old MacDonald” just as he did while imprisoned.

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07/29/2025

Find the perfect cruise experience

07/07/2025

HAPPY 21st birthday to our youngest Junior...Rylyn Dyer!!

07/04/2025

Happy birthday shout out to our member
Emily Jones !

06/13/2025

The First Town within Brown County was called St. Clairville, laid out by Basil Duke and John Coburn in 1801. Fifteen years later St. Clairville became Decatur!

05/15/2025

250 Years Ago - May 1775 - The Second Continental Congress

More than 20,000 colonial militiamen from across New England responded to the “Lexington Alarm” and marched to Boston. These men from Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire circled the city, trapping British General Thomas Gage, the British Army, and many Loyalist inhabitants in a siege.

At the outbreak of the Battle of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775, many delegates to the Continental Congress were already on their way to Philadelphia for the meeting of the Second Continental Congress, set to convene on May 10, 1775. In addition to notable returning delegates such as George Washington, John Adams, and Patrick Henry, Benjamin Franklin and John Hancock attended this meeting, with Thomas Jefferson to join later in June.

The delegates arrived at the Pennsylvania Statehouse well informed of the bloody conflicts in Lexington and Concord, and the skill with which the responding militia had fought as they chased the British Regulars on their retreat to Boston. Little debate was required to initiate preparations for war. The Second Continental Congress quickly resolved to establish a Continental Army and appointed George Washington as Commander in Chief.

Even as they began transforming the colonial militia assembled around Boston into a Continental Army, the delegates also prepared for peace. They drafted a document known as the Olive Branch Petition addressed to King George III, offering an opportunity to negotiate a peaceful settlement. The petition stated that while oppressive events “proceeding to open Hostilities for enforcing them, have compelled us to arm in our own Defence [sic],” the American colonists remain loyal subjects who desire “a happy and permanent Reconciliation.” Delegate William Penn of Pennsylvania was dispatched to London to personally deliver this hopeful petition to the king.

Sources:

“The Second Continental Congress.” Massachusetts Historical Society. https://www.masshist.org/revolution/congress2.php

“The Second Continental Congress and the Declaration of Independence.” National Park Service. U.S. Department of the Interior.
https://www.nps.gov/inde/learn/historyculture/resources-declaration-secondcontinentalcongress.htm

04/23/2025

In the 1830s, abolitionism became a political force to be reckoned with. In the face of harassment and mob violence, Black and white abolitionists staged ral...

04/18/2025

Today, we commemorate an important date as part of the America 250 celebration—the 250th anniversary of Paul Revere’s ride! This event lit the fire of revolution and a pivotal moment—and the beginning of our journey through America’s founding story.

On this day in 1775, Paul Revere embarked on his legendary midnight ride—warning the countryside that British troops were advancing. After organizing a signal from the Old North Church—“One if by land, two if by sea”—Revere crossed the Charles River and rode through the night to alert fellow Patriots in Lexington and beyond. Joined by William Dawes and Dr. Samuel Prescott, the alarm was raised... and the spark of revolution was lit.

The next morning, the first shots were fired at Lexington and Concord, marking the beginning of the American Revolution.

As part of the America 250 commemoration, we’ll be sharing a series of “On This Day in History” posts highlighting key events, people, and places that mark pivotal moments of our journey to independence.

03/23/2025

On March 23, 1775, Patrick Henry’s “Give me liberty, or give me death!” speech lit the fire of revolution. His words still define the American spirit 250 years later—bold, determined, and unyielding in the pursuit of freedom. 🇺🇸

03/22/2025
Members of our chapter assisted with BINGO at Ohio Valley Manor and Rehab in Ripley Ohio today.  We took gifts and refre...
03/17/2025

Members of our chapter assisted with BINGO at Ohio Valley Manor and Rehab in Ripley Ohio today. We took gifts and refreshments and the residents loved it. We saw many residents that we were all acquainted with as well.

DO YOU LIKE TO READ?  I just ran across this non-profit organization that "recycles" paperback books by sending to deplo...
03/02/2025

DO YOU LIKE TO READ? I just ran across this non-profit organization that "recycles" paperback books by sending to deployed military, and other military establishments. Check it out!

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6419 U. S. Highway 62
Ripley, OH
45167

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