On June 3, members of the Liberty Bell Chapter, National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, honored 2nd Lt. Reilly McGinnis with the DAR Distinguished Citizen Medal.

The award can be presented to emergency first responders, emergency health responders, active duty military, veterans of the United States armed forces and individuals who fulfill the qualities of honor, service, courage, leadership and patriotism.

The Liberty Bell Chapter of Allentown applauds McGinnis for her continued dedication to her commitment to service.

McGinnis started her journey to being selected first captain at West Point, the highest position in Cadet Chain of Command for 2020-2021, when she committed to her love for soccer at Emmaus High School. Her dedication to the sport led her to leadership positions within her high school team. Her talent, skills and leadership abilities guided her to West Point where she excelled in her sport as well as her academics. After an injury ended her involvement in the sport, she turned her focus on her future opportunities.

In February the Liberty Bell Chapter membership nominated McGinnis, then Cadet McGinnis, for the award based on her exceptional commitment and dedication to the military requirements as a cadet at West Point and her initiative to continue to develop her leadership skills and excel as a cadet during all four years.

In August 2020, she received the appointment of first captain of the United States Military Academy’s Corps of Cadets for the 2020-2021 term. She held the most senior ranking of the 4,400 cadets at West Point. Only five women have previously held this position at West Point since women were first admitted to military academies in 1976.

The presentation of the Distinguished Citizen Medal took place at the office of state Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-134th, in Lower Macungie Township. In attendance were McGinnis, her parents, Richard and Mary McGinnis and her grandmothers, Jennie Fox and Rose Marie McGinnis, Mackenzie and his mother, state Rep. Milou Mackenzie, R-131st, members of the Valley Forge Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution and the Bethlehem Chapter of the DAR respectfully and members of the Liberty Bell Chapter, Regent Tracy DeJonge, 1st Vice Regent and National Defense Chair Hope Thorne and 2nd Vice Regent Marg Iannace.

The Liberty Bell Chapter of the DAR was organized and chartered in 1892.