Below here, for reference, is a little additional information about the Fraternal Order of Eagles:
Fraternal Order of Eagles
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Founded: February 6, 1898
Founders: John Cort, John W. Considine, Tim J. Considine, Harry (H.L.) Leavitt, Mose Goldsmith, and Arthur Williams
Focus: Social Issues
Location: Grove City, Ohio
Origins: Seattle, Washington
Area served: International
Endowment: $10 Million
Slogan: 39;39;People Helping People39;39;
The Fraternal Order of Eagles (F.O.E.) is an international fraternal organization that was founded on February 6, 1898, in Seattle, Washington by a group of six theater owners including John Cort (the first president), brothers John W. and Tim J. Considine, Harry (H.L.) Leavitt (who later joined the Loyal Order of Moose), Mose Goldsmith and Arthur Williams. Originally made up of those engaged in one way or another in the performing arts, the Eagles grew and claimed credit for establishing the Mother39;s Day holiday in the United States as well as the 39;39;impetus for Social Security39;39;. Their lodges are known as 39;39;aeries39;39;.
History
The Fraternal Order of Eagles, an international non profit organization, unites fraternally in the spirit of liberty, truth, justice, and equality, to make human life more desirable by lessening its ills, and by promoting peace, prosperity, gladness and hope. The Fraternal Order of Eagles was founded on February 6, 1898. The organization was formed by six theater owners sitting on a pile of lumber in Moran39;s shipyard in Seattle, Washington. They were competitors who had come together to discuss a musicians39; strike. After deciding how to handle the strike, they agreed to 39;39;bury the hatchet39;39; and form an organization dubbed, 39;39;The Order of Good Things39;39;.
Early meetings were held on local theater stages, and after taking care of business, attendees rolled out a keg of beer and enjoyed social time. As numbers grew, participants selected the bald eagle as the official emblem and changed the name to 39;39;The Fraternal Order of Eagles39;39;. In April, 1898, the membership formed a Grand Aerie, secured a charter and developed a constitution and by-laws, with John Cort elected the Eagles39; first president. Touring theater troupes are credited with much of the Eagles39; rapid growth. Most early members were actors, stagehands and playwrights, who carried the Eagles story as they toured across the United States and Canada.
The organization39;s success is also attributed to its funeral benefits (no Eagle was ever buried in a potter39;s field), the provision of an aerie physician, and other membership benefits. The Eagles pushed for the founding of Mother39;s Day, provided the impetus for Social Security, and pushed to end job discrimination based on age. The Eagles have provided support for medical centers across the United States and Canada to build and provide research on medical conditions. Every year they raise millions of dollars to combat heart disease and cancer, help children with disabilities, and uplift the aged and infirm.