Official Organ Of the Slavonic Benevolent Order Of The State Of Texas, Founded 1897. BENEVOLENCE
VOLUME 57 — NO. 23
HUMANITY
BROTHERHOOD'
Postmaster: Please Send Form 3579 with Undeliverable Copies to: SUPREME LODGE SPJST, POB 100, TEMPLE, TEX 76501
JUNE 4, 1969
FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK Fraternalists throughout the U.S. as well as millions of others, will join in the special observance of Flag Day, June 14. Officials of the National Fraternal Congress of America. and the more than one-hundred fraternal benefit societies which are a part of the Congress are endeavoring to remind their members, and the general public, that a rebirth of patriotism is needed during these troubled times. One way to do that is to urge all citizens to fly "Old Glory" whenever possible, but especially on Flag Day, June 14. Numerous government officials have endorsed the program. One in particular is John W. Byrnes, United States Representative from Wisconsin, who had these comments: "There is no better time than during Fraternal Week, June 8-14, for patriotic and concerned Americans to reexamine their views concerning what is now being done, and more important, what remains to be done, to allow all of our people to participate more fully in the benefits of being citizens of this great country. 'True fraternalists know that looking out for their fellowman means extra effort and extra sacrifice. .They know that meaningful public service requires more than grandiose statement of goals and press release commitment to,
FRIENDSHIP PAYS Begin the day with friendliness, Keep friendly all day long. Keep in your soul a friendly thought, In your heart a friendly song. Have in your mind a word of cheer, For all who come your way, And they will greet you, too, in turn, And wish you a happy day. • • In friendship we find nothing false or insincere; everything is straightforward, and springs from the heart. —Cicero noble causes. It requires the type of concrete people-helping work they have been performing for decades. "Fraternal benefit societies were founded on man's desire to show real concern for his brothers. The record fraternalists have compiled in meeting that commitment uniquely qualifies them to play a leading role in the nation's effort to enhance the lives and broaden the opportunities of our less fortunate citizens." In 1885, a 19-year-old school teacher who was later to become Dean of the Illinois School of Dentistry, held a brief patriotic flag raising in the Fredonia, Wisconsin, schoolyard. As he concluded the solemn ceremony, hoping to teach his pupils the honor due the flag of their country, it occurred to him that all Americans should take part in similar ceremonies -- that all. Ameri-
cans should take time out to consider the meaning of their flag. He undertook to bring this about. One of America's patriotic citizens and a man burning with love for his country, Dr. Bernard Cigrand, is remembered today as the "father" of Flag Day. It was Dr. Cigrand who, with his small group of school children, first honored the Flag in 1885 at a small schoolhouse in Fredonia, Wisconsin. In 1916, President Wilson proclaimed June 14 as National Flag Day. Today that schoolhouse has become a national shrine, restored by fraternal-ists who formed the National Flag Day Foundation. Each year fraternalists and other citizens gather at the schoolhouse on Flag Day to conduct special honoring the Flag and the memory of Dr. Cigraml. "Old Glory" held a special meaning for Dr. Cigrancl, just as it holds a special meaning for all loyal and patriotic Americans. National Flag Day offers opportunity for you to display your patriotism by disp laying your flag. • • YOU ARE AN OLD TIMER IF YOU CAN R,EIVIEMBER WHEN: —the village square'was a place, not a person. —a bureau was a piece of furniture. —folks sat down at the supper table and counted their blessings instead of calories.