Volume 94 Number 26
ˇ VESTNIK S P J S T Benevolence
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H E R A L D
Humanity
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Brotherhood
June 28, 2006
ISSN —07458800
Residents, veterans honor Old Glory By Emily Messer Temple Daily Telegram With a giant American flag spread about the background, a podium decked with U.S. flags and red, white and blue strewn about the scenery, members of SPJST, local residents, veterans, firefighters and junior fire cadets paid homage to Old Glory for Flag Day. Flag Day celebrates the birth of the nation’s flag. Harvey H. Klee, chaplain of the American Legion Department of Texas, gave the keynote address about Flag Day at the SPJST Home Office on Wednesday, June 14. “A flag may be a flimsy
~ Inside ~
Lodge 32 Victoria’s New Building
bit of printed gauze or a beautiful banner of finest silk. Its intrinsic value may be trifling or great, but its real value is beyond price,” Klee said during the flag disposal ceremony. “For it is a precious symbol of all that we have worked for and lived for and died for.” Klee said he was honored to be at the ceremony to honor the American flag and acknowledge allegiance to it as well as to pay special homage to armed forces members Victoria Pajestka who were Essay Winner prisoners of war or missing in action. “This is our flag,” Klee said. “This is our spiritual
heritage.” A message from U.S. Senator. John Cornyn was read about the history and meaning of Flag Day. “Flag Day commemorates the founding of the United States and is a day for all Americans to celebrate,” Cornyn’s message said. “It also reminds us of our independence and the unity of our nation.” Cornyn urged listeners to use the flag on the civic holiday and every day with pride. Temple Mayor Bill Jones III said the flag is an important symbol of the United States. “It’s a symbol of all that our country stands for and it reminds me of our soldiers,” Jones said about the flag after the speech. Jones is also a member of SPJST Lodge 177, Academy. Jones said he was pleased
SPJST District Four Director and American Legion Commander of 21st District, Texas Billy Rollwitz, right, displays a folded American flag as Chaplain of the American Legion Department of Texas Harvey Klee, left, delivers the Flag Day address. Kenneth Popp, American Legion Commander of Post 478 in West, looks on.
with the turnout for the event. “It’s good to see the kids out here and the citizens of the community out here to celebrate this day together.”
Victoria Pajestka (Lodge 80, Holland) won the SPJST essay-writing contest, receiving a $150 gift certificate to See Flag Day on page 5.
Page 11 Lodge 154 Fort Worth Activities Page 16 LAM Receives Challenge Grant Page 20 Lodge 4 Hallettsville Join Hands Day Project Page 24
Interest Rates .....................3 Family Fun Dates ...............3 BBQ Cook-Off.....................3 Contest Results .................4 Lodge Letters .....................9 In Memoriam.....................22 Reunions...........................22 Youth .................................23 Czech Culture...................28 Activities Calendar...........30
Ready to Relay
Chicken-Cookin’ Good Time in Columbus, Texas
Lodge 51, Ellinger President Calvin Hlinsky cooks up the prize-winning barbecue chicken in the IBCA-sanctioned Barbecue Cook-Off, held in Columbus on June 9 and 10. Lodges 1, Fayetteville and 51, Ellinger sponsored a team in the cook-off. The team’s chicken placed third. More pictures on page 14.
Orel the SPJST mascot, accompanied by the Snook Blue Jay and District One State Field Representative Bill Orsak, participate in the Burleson County American Cancer Society Relay for Life on June 9 in Caldwell. See pictures on page 21.