Changing to meet the needs of fraternalists.
VE STN
"Joining Hands To Touch Lives-Fraternalism for the Family and Our Nation'
Official Publication Of The Slavonic Benevolent Order of the State of Texas, Founded 1897
BENEVOLENCE
BROTHERHOOD
HUMANITY
Postmaster: Please Send Form 3579 to: SPJST Home Office, P. 0. Box 100, Temple, Texas 76503 VOLUME 86 NUMBER 25
ISSN-07458800
Life. Liberty. The pursuit of happiness.
July 1, 1998
Lodge 177, Academy member takes first place in essay contest
On Independence Day, SPJST salutes the ideals on which our great nation was founded, and asks that you join us in letting your patriotic spirit soar during this grandest of occasions.
Congratulations to Jessica Lyon, 15, of Lodge 177, Academy. Her first place Flag Day essay was read during the SPJST Home Office Flag Day observance on Friday, June 12. For her efforts, Jessica also received a check for $100. Her winning essay follows:
Why Our Flag is Special While the flag is just a rec-
Happy Birthday, America! 222 Years and Still Growing Strong!
tangular piece of cloth, it is so much more. What it symbolizes
Members of the 553 Battalion Color Guard from Fort Hood, Texas participate in Home Office Flag Day observance.
truly makes it special. Oppressed people from the world over see it; and see refuge. The flag flying proudly and silently s-:Duts freedom louder than any orator could. It has been here for Americans for over 220 years. It has seen us through peace and war. It helps us to honor those who have died while defending the beliefs of this great country. The red stripes remind us of the blood that has been spilled to protect the nation. The white stripes show the overwhelming grief and tears shed by Americans for the loss of those who so valiantly defended it. The blue field indicates God's Heaven which we all live under and whose right to worship was the foundation on which this country was founded. The stars, clustered close together, unify the 50 states as one. When looking at "Old Glory," honor, respect and defend this special symbol. Remember what it stands for and this country will remain one of freedom and peace. —SPJST-
SPJST Home Office expresses patriotism, honors flag by State Fraternal Activities Coordinator Barbara Rosenkranz
Red
and white balloons wrapped with blue and white star gossamer, and draped with red, white and blue ribbons provided a festive atmosphere for the SPJST Home Office Flag Raising Ceremony held Friday, June 12, 1998. Following the formal ceremony on the front steps of the Home Office, participants dressed in an array of patriotic colors visited and enjoyed delicious kolaches, fruit, juice and coffee.
Local patriots gathered outside the SPJST Home Office at 8:55 a.m. to the recorded tunes of "God Bless America" and "This is My Country." The gathering crowd included local dignitaries and business leaders, veterans, children and parents from local lodges and SPJST officers, directors and employees. The crowd waited in silence as the 553 Battalion Color Guard marched to the building from French Street, led by the ordinance of Sergeant Little, 13 COS COM, Fort Hood, Texas. The Battalion Color Guard then retrieved
the colors from District Two Flag Bearers Lisa Greger of SPJST Lodge 47, Seaton and Courtney Wagner of SPJST Lodge 177, Academy, who stood by as flags were raised and saluted. As the flags billowed in the morning breeze, the audience placed their hands over their hearts. Following the pledge of allegiance, Lisa Heitman, evening news anchor for KCEN-TV, sang the National Anthem beautifully. President Howard Leshikar then introduced local dignitaries, SPJST Officers and Directors who were in
attendance. The Honorable Keifer Marshall, Jr., Mayor of Temple, read an impressive citywide Flag Day proclamation from the top steps in front of the SPJST Home Office. The Honorable Martha J. Trudo, 264th District Judge for Bell County, was introduced and spoke on the importance of passing on the traditions of respect for the flag to our children. Her words were played back later on the evening news with featured closeup video of tiny Mandy Baker of SPJST Lodge 24, Cyclone and young (Continued on page 3.)