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Joining Hands To Touch Lives... . . . Fraternalism for the Family and Our Nation
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Official Publication of the SPJST, originally chartered as the Slovanksa Podporujici Jednota Statu Texas, in 1897
Postmaster: Please Send Form 3579 to: SPJST Home Office, P. 0. Box 100, Temple, Texas 76503 ISSN-07458800 VOLUME 89 NUMBER 36
In Memoriam
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September 19, 2001
Family Fun and Important SPJST Dates
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Barbecue Cook-Off at Lodge 29, Taylor Fish Fry at Lodge 49, Rowena Hamburger Social for Lodge 151, Wharton (See Letters Section for Details.) Czech Heritage Month in Texas October SPJST 100 Pennies Scholarship Fund Drive Begins October 1 District Four Family Fun Day at St. Ambrose Hall, October 6 hosted by Lodge 160, San Angelo SPJST Home Office Closed October 8 October 9-11 SPJST Supreme Lodge Meeting at the SPJST Home Office Peanut Festival - Lodge 107, Floresville October 13 Czech Heritage Day at Lodge 24, Cyclone October 20 Free Dance by Melodion Band from Czech Republic I October 20 at Lodge 183, Arlington District One Fall Meeting at Lodge 17, New Tabor, October 21 hosted by Lodge 39, Bryan Turkey and Dressing Dinner at Lodge 35, Elk October 21 Make a Difference Day October 27 Progressive "42" Tournament at Lodge 48, Beyersville October 27 District Three Fall Meeting at Lodge 25, Ennis October 28 District Six Fall Meeting at Lodge 40, El Campo-Hillje October 28 Lodge 88, Houston Czech Heritage Day October 28 Sept. 28-29 Sept. 29 Sept. 30
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We are all deeply moved and concerned about the tragic events of September 11, 2001 in New York, Washington, D.C., and Somerset County, Pennsylvania. Our hearts go out to the loved ones who have lost family and friends. Our thanks go to those who help us recover and who protect us and our ideals.
—SPJST-
Fraternals proceed with 115th annual meeting In the wake of the terrible events that unfolded last Tuesday, the National Fraternal Congress of America (NFCA) management team gathered last week to discuss plans for the 115th NFCA Annual Meeting, September 19-22, in Orlando/Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Founded in 1886, the NFCA is the national trade association for 83 member societies and 36 state fraternal congresses. The SPJST is a member of the NFCA. "Our number one concern is the safety of our guests as they travel from all over the country," says NFCA Fraternal and Communications Manager Anthony Snyder "Many individuals, no doubt, are considering whether now is the right time for airline travel following the tragic loss of four commercial aircraft." "NFCA has consulted with the Hilton in the Walt Disney World Village to determine the status of the hotel property. A small number of groups that planned to hold meetings there last week were canceled, primarily due to the airline stoppage which prohibited attendees from traveling. However, hotel representatives have assured us that the hotel and Disney properties are in operation today and
will continue to operate, barring any unforeseen circumstances," says Mr. Snyder. "Unless there are future developments which would halt airline travel this week or if authorities indicate the safety of travelers is in jeopardy, the 115th NFCA Annual Meeting, and all scheduled outings, programs and presentations will take place," he says. SPJST Leaders Involved SPJST representatives scheduled to participate in the four-day annual meeting include Supreme Lodge Vice President Gene McBride, Supreme Lodge Secretary-Treasurer Lanita Anglin, District One Director Donnie Victorick, District Five Director Larry Pflughaupt and District Six Director Mike Ahlstrom. Vice President McBride is presently serving as President of the Fraternal Field Managers Association (FFMA), which oversees and provides direction for the National Association of Fraternal Insurance Counselors (NAFIC). "The FFMA includes sales and marketing personnel from large and small fraternals," explains Brother McBride. "Working together, we
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itor and exchange information of issues important to all of our members. Topping the FFMA meeting agenda this week in Florida will be the development of a new training program for fraternal field managers. Rising to the Occasion "Our hearts and prayers are with those touched by the events of September 11. Although we must move on, we do so with heavy hearts. It seems fitting that the NFCA membership, an association of organizations that exist to improve life in this world, will come together after this national nightmare . . . we will join hands to begin the healing," says Mr. Snyder. Already, according to Mr. Snyder, many of the nation's fraternals have risen to the occasion and are deeply engaged in activities to aid the disaster scenes in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania or are offering opportunities to begin the healing. For example: • Catholic Life Insurance raised its five-story U.S. flag and held a public mass at its San Antonio Home Office on September 14 in honor of the National Day of Prayer.
Polish National Union of America encouraged its staff members to give blood yesterday in a show of support. • Aid Association for Lutherans has offered $1 million to assist people on the East Coast. The released funds will be used to mobilize AAL members and branches to help disaster victims through fundraising. • Lutheran Brotherhood has made available more than $360,000 to its branches to assist in disaster relief. • Woodmen of the World Omaha/Woodmen Woodmen Life Insurance Society donated 7,000 hand-held flags to be distributed at Omaha malls and local grocery stores to people who donate to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. "We applaud the good works of our sister fraternal societies," says Brother McBride, who helped organize the SPJST's recent Houston flood relief effort. "It's inspiring and it's what fraternalism is all about." —SPJST-