The genesis of Tina Sellner's patriotic involvement in the Daughters of the American Revolution is linked to her father's service in the Ohio National Guard, U.S. Army and the Air Force.
Born at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, most of her early years were spent following her father's military career at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska, and locations in southern and central California.
"My parents moved to Folk (Missouri) when I was 12 years old, after my father had retired from the Air Force," the former Tina Baldwin said. "When I graduated from Helias (Catholic High School) in 1971, I enrolled at Central Missouri State University and earned a bachelor of science in zoology in 1976.
While in college, she earned her teaching certificate and then began a career instructing science classes at Osage County R-2 (Linn), Helias and St. Peter Interparish School. In 1977, she married and later decided to return to college, earning a master's degree in mathematics.
"I taught math at New Bloomfield and also instructed some college-level courses at Central Methodist and Lincoln University," Sellner said. "I also taught math courses at Cole R-1 in Russellville for a few years."
Throughout the years, she enjoyed the time she was given with her parents during their retirement, listening to her father proudly recollect stories of his service in World War II and Korea. Sadly, her parents have since died and were laid to rest in Resurrection Cemetery in Jefferson City.
The mother of two daughters, she and her husband divorced in 2001. She later met Scott Sellner through church at St. Joseph Cathedral, where he was organist and choir director, and she was in the choir; the couple married in 2006.
"I made the decision to retire from teaching in 2010 but taught part-time at Russellville for another three years," she recalled. "One day at church, I was speaking with a gentleman who was in the Sons of the American Revolution and his wife in the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). I told him my aunt had been in the DAR, and he said that I needed to be a member."
Since her parents had died and her children were grown, Sellner realized she had some time to focus on volunteerism. In 2012, she was accepted as member of the Jane Randolph Jefferson Chapter of the DAR in Jefferson City and soon became involved in several aspects of the organization.
She quickly leveraged her creative energies within the chapter by providing special items for local veterans. Sellner enjoyed quilting and began making lap quits for veterans who were residents of local nursing homes. This soon led to the creation of larger quilts that are presented to veterans as part of the Quilts of Valor program.
According to the Quilts of Valor Foundation, machine or handmade quilts made by volunteers are intended to provide comfort and healing for servicemembers and veterans who have been touched by war.
"At first, I kind of did the quilting on my own but many of the other members of the chapter became involved," she said. "We all find it so inspiring to see the gratitude on the faces of the veterans who have sacrificed so much when they are honored with a quilt."
She continued, "Every quilt that we make, it reminds me of all the sacrifices that my father made for the country and that of all veterans we are recognizing. Essentially, it helps keep my father's memory alive."
As part of her membership in the local chapter, Sellner has held different offices throughout the years to include that of historian, recording secretary, first vice regent and regent. Additionally, she has served as the state chorus director.
"It's an opportunity to choose music and lead the choir at any function that we come to," she said. "This includes state conference and Flag Day ceremonies. We also sing at an event called 'Lights of Love for Veterans,' which is a ceremony held in Boonville in December to help us honor veterans and raise money for patriotic service organizations"
Annually, her local DAR chapter sponsors a Veterans Day ceremony at the Primrose Retirement Community in Jefferson City. Sellner gleamed when explaining that not only does she enjoy leading the music for the event, but enjoys seeing veterans smile and boisterously wave their small American flags when the music of their respective service branch is sung.
The chapter also comes together to create and write messages in greeting cards to be distributed to veterans who are residents in state veterans' homes and other senior living facilities. She recognizes some of these residents do not receive any outside visitors and small gestures as simple as a card can provide some much-needed cheer.
Her passion for volunteering with the DAR is sustained by the organization's continued focus on assorted service projects that not only benefit the local community, but more specifically, veterans.
"One of the things I think is most wonderful about the DAR is the focus on patriotism," she said. "We have been blessed to honor a variety of veterans, but I really find it gratifying to recognize those who have served in the Korean or Vietnam Wars because they have really kind of been forgotten."
"I have a brother that retired from the Navy as a lieutenant commander and a brother-in-law who was a lieutenant colonel and served in Bosnia and Kosovo. They, and especially my father, are the reason I continue to support opportunities to serve all veterans," she said.
Jeremy P. Amick writes on behalf of the Silver Star Families of America.