Her life revolves around the red, white and blue
By Patricia Buschette
For Jeanie Doran of Litchfield, patriotism is a way of life. Her life has been dedicated to honoring those who served this country. Her patriotism is matched by her desire to preserve history and the service that veterans offered to her country.
“I was born in 1934 in Litchfield where I attended kindergarten, and went to old Longfellow Grade School, took piano lessons, and was involved with the Historical Society and Memorial Day when in Brownies,” she said. “I started taking piano lessons when I was seven years old from the nuns at St. Phillips Church Conservatory.”
Already infused with the spirit of patriotism, Jeanie marched in Memorial Day and other local parades from 1940 until she graduated from Litchfield High School in 1952.
“I went on to St. Cloud State and then taught in Sartell for two years.” Here, music was an important part of her teaching experience. Now expecting her first child, she and her husband moved to St. Paul. His business meant he was away from home a great deal of the time and she began working on social concerns.
“During the 1960s and 1970s there were a lot of political and environmental issues going on,” she said. “I joined environmental organizations, Mothers for Peace, and participated in the American Indian Movement.”
Jeanie and fellow activists presented a wild rice bill to the State Legislature, providing greater rights for Native Americans in the production and harvest of wild rice.
“I was involved with women’s rights and participated in marches. Attention to the ERA (Equal Rights Amendment) had just begun.” Jeanie was working at the Maplewood Nursing home in 1998 when her father died. Her mother died two weeks later. She retired the next year and moved back to Litchfield in 1999, into the home where she had lived as a child. During this time, she met Esther Hegg, charter member and past president, who introduced her to the Ladies Grand Army of the Republic (LGAR). Jeanie joined in 2000.
According to the organization, “The Grand Army of the Republic was an organization established in 1866 by union veterans of the Civil War to preserve friendships, honor fallen comrades, and aid widows and the handicapped. It also wielded great political influence in the years just after the war.”
The organization is open to “All-female blood kin relatives, 10 years of age or older, of honorably discharged union soldiers, sailors, Marines and ex-Army nurses of the Civil War.”
Jeanie’s membership in the organization is valid. In 1862 her great grandfather, Ludwig Schoultz, volunteered to serve three years in the Union army. He was wounded at the Battle of Gettysburg and discharged in 1865. He was a member of the G.A.R.
The mission of The Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic is to teach patriotism and preserve the history of our ancestry. This is a mission that Jeanie has fully embraced.
“I was treasurer of LGAR for about 20 years,” she said, “and a member of the Meeker County Historical, and secretary for two years. Although cancer treatment required that she resign, she still attends meetings.
Jeanie is a proud supporter of the local opera house, where Connie Lies is the facilities coordinator and president of the Greater Litchfield Opera House Association Inc. Jeanie and Connie work together to support the community and its history. Connie is one of Jeanie’s loyal supporters.
Memorial Day has always been important to Jeanie. “I drove in Memorial Day parades for 15 years – I drove the ladies and one time I saw a veteran standing on the street nearby. He was new in town and I gave him a lift. I drove elected officials. We participated in the cemetery program, laying on of patriotic wreaths. From there we would go to the G.A.R. hall.”
Jeanie’s service includes working at nursing homes on holidays, Veterans’ Day and Memorial Days. “I played the piano providing music,” she said.
Music has always been an important part of Jeanie’s life as through patriotic music she brings life to veterans’ events. She played the piano, guitar and autoharp for marches and walks.
“I played at civil war encampments held at Central Park in Litchfield. Vets come as well as reenactors. We haven’t had one for a long time. We did Civil War songs using guitar, autoharp and violin.”
Civil War enactments can come to life with the creation of costumes she has designed including hoop skirts, tops, aprons, and hats worn for special events and on LGAR floats, and in nursing home programs, as well as for the reenactments.
“I have boxes and boxes of Civil War music, and included is ‘I wish I was in the Land of Cotton.’ One vet in the group grew up from the South and we always kidded him, but played ‘Dixie’ for him.”
“Our group has contributed to Veterans’ organizations – all of our money making projects go to veteran organizations,” she said. “We sell pies, have lunches . . . always baking.”
The LGAR supports the work of Vets for Pets. Veterans who have experienced combat situations are interviewed and when their needs are understood, animals that are often in shelters are matched with the vet. Trainers assist in the program and often a connection is immediately made. This connection serves to reduce the suffering, and loneliness, often experienced by veterans who have experienced war time trauma. This is a program that Jeanie wholeheartedly supports and she proudly displays the pendant she wears promoting the program.
The passage of years has not diminished Jeanie’s concern for civic matters. While the promotion of patriotism and appreciation for history are ever present in her life, she writes speeches, songs and letters to the editor on topics that she is passionate about.
Jeanie’s good friend Esther, who shared her passion for dedication to the flag and to the soldiers who served it, died in July of 2022 at the age of 104, She carries on her part of the dedication that the two of them shared for many years.
Patriotism abounds throughout her house filled with posters and patriotic memorabilia. On chilly days she wears a distinctive flag sweater, and the car that she drives proudly displays an American flag.
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