Serving a three-year term as state regent of the Pennsylvania State Society Daughters of the American Revolution (PSSDAR) has provided Marguerite Fritsch with opportunities to influence the organization on a larger scale.

She has taken full advantage.

Marguerite, who lives in Landisville, has played an integral role in three major Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) initiatives.

At the 128th state convention, which was held in Pittsburgh in late April, Marguerite delivered a $25,000 donation to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation (T2T). "Each state regent has the opportunity to develop a state project that the whole state will work on," said Marguerite.

A member of the DAR's Service to Veterans Committee, Marguerite asked state chair Diana Grady if she would lead efforts to raise funds for T2T. "I have a family connection to that organization, and I felt it was important to support them," Marguerite explained.

Her brother, Tom Hogan, and his wife, Susan, residents of Staten Island, lost many friends in the 9/11 terror attacks. Susan made meals for first responders, and Tom sifted through debris at a landfill.

Tom was a track coach for fifth-graders, and he and his team participated in the first T2T race. The T2T representative who attended the state conference to accept the donation included a slideshow as part of his presentation. The first slide was a photograph of Tom and his sons, Jake and Matthew Hogan.

Marguerite also spearheaded a drive to gather backpacks and lunch bags for children of active military members. PSSDAR members collected 608 items to bring the three-year total to more than 1,700.

"I hold the USO (United Service Organizations) close to my heart," said Marguerite. Her son Robert Fritsch is a commander in the United States Navy and is currently deployed to Djibouti, Africa, in support of forces in the Middle East.

Through the USO, Robert read a book to his daughter Courtney's first-grade class in Mechanicsburg. Marguerite noted that Courtney wrote on a paper, "This was the luckiest day of my life."

"I believe in serving," said Marguerite, who worked as a nurse for 43 years before retiring. "My theme is love of service to God, home, and country. Service comes in many ways. I have served all my life, and I think this is a way that we can serve. Veterans and first responders need the support."

Marguerite was the driving force behind the restoration of Old Swede Cemetery in Chester, the resting place of John Morton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Morton is known for casting the deciding vote as Pennsylvania chose in favor of the Declaration of Independence.

Marguerite said the cemetery has long been in a state of disrepair, so she launched a campaign that included fundraising events and merchandise sales and has generated nearly $200,000 for the restoration.

The local society of the Children of the American Revolution is called the John Morton Society. Marguerite first went to Old Swede Cemetery on Memorial Day approximately 40 years ago, and the annual visit became a family tradition. Robert completed his Eagle Scout project there.

A rededication ceremony was held Sunday, May 25, and Marguerite placed a DAR America 250 Patriot Marker at the site in honor of its historical significance.

"It always held a special place in my heart, and when I got the platform as a state regent, I knew I could go bigger, have a broader outreach in fundraising and be able to do more," Marguerite said.

She will be able to keep tabs on the project. Christie Logan, who lives in Arizona, has ancestors buried in the cemetery, and she and her husband, Scott, formed an LLC, Friends of Old Swede Cemetery, which will continue to maintain the cemetery.

Marguerite said DAR is a nonpolitical service organization that focuses on historic preservation, education, and patriotism. Membership is for women at least 18 years old who have a direct lineage to a man or woman who fought for America in the Revolutionary War or helped the cause.

Marguerite has five ancestors proven to fit that category. Many members of Marguerite's family have been members of DAR, including her grandmother Marguerite Hogan Graham; mother, Rosemary Hogan; sister, Rosemary Hogan; daughter, Elizabeth Ciarrocchi; and granddaughter Abigail Ciarrocchi.

Marguerite's term as state regent of the PSSDAR will end Sunday, June 29, but her involvement with DAR will not. She recently traveled to DAR's headquarters in Washington, D.C., to accept a role as a national officer.

"So I'm getting a promotion," Marguerite said with a smile. "When I was asked, I was humbled and honored. I never thought that would ever happen. There's a lot to learn and a lot of responsibilities, but I will be working with a lot of fabulous, talented, smart women from across the country. I know we'll be successful."