Volume 94 Number 40
ˇ ´ VESTNIK S P J S T Benevolence
H
H E R A L D
Humanity
H
Brotherhood
October 11, 2006
ISSN —07458800
SPJST Supreme Lodge Officers Respond to Recent Activity “No one should be singled out for unfair treatment or unkind words because of their ethnic background or religious faith.” Those are the words that President Bush delivered to all Americans on the night of September 11, 2001, following the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. Today, we call on SPJST members everywhere to take these words to heart as we confront the racially-slanted verbal attack that was issued by an anonymous letter writer last week and directed at some of our fraternal brothers and sisters. In carrying out this tasteless act, the letter writer angered and offended a lot of good members — some who were new to the organization — and understandably so. It’s never a pleasant experience to get a letter in the mail telling you — regardless of the goodness in your heart — that you aren’t wanted. Secondly, as a result of the letter, the organization took a hit. The kind of blow that a quarterback gets when he’s hit on his blind side. Not life threatening – but it hurts. Know this: Supreme Lodge Officers are galvanized as one in matters related to racism. We won’t put up with it. The authorities have been notified, and in the event that the letter writer is identified, charges will be filed. In the event that the letter writer is identified as a member, such steps as outlined under Article 69 of the By-Laws, relating to member suspension, will be swiftly enacted. The individual who wrote the letter did not have the courtesy to sign it personally. Instead, the correspondence was attributed to “SPJST Czech Members.” That’s what it means to be irresponsible. And so it is that the entire Society must shoulder the burden, devoting precious resources to addressing these acts of harassment. Got something to say? We say, locate your spine, step forward and identify yourself. That
may be asking a lot as only responsible and mature individuals sign letters. We hope that every SPJST member will stop and examine his or her conscience about this incident and about the fraternal purposes upon which our Society was established. The SPJST was founded in 1897 by pioneers of Czech descent. From the outset, SPJST lodge meetings and social activities made members feel at home and provided them with the economic security of fraternal life insurance. Through participation in lodge meetings and SPJST conventions, members learned and applied the democratic processes of their newly adopted homeland. They grew to appreciate the value of free speech and to express their opinions. Having learned and adopted these American values, SPJST members became better citizens. Today, the SPJST remains committed to a statewide campaign to provide fraternal benefits for all Texans, regardless of race, creed or national origin. Of course, public statements such as this, will not eliminate prejudice from the hearts of human beings. But that is no reason to allow prejudice to continue to be accepted in our Society — or to perpetuate it through inaction. In the words of John F. Kennedy, “Those who do nothing, invite shame. Those who act boldly are recognizing right as well as reality.” In short, every SPJST member ought to have the right to be treated as he would wish to be treated, as one of God’s children. For this,we ask the support of all our members. Fraternally, SPJST Supreme Lodge Officers President Brian Vanicek Vice President Gene McBride Secretary-Treasurer Lanita Anglin Financial Secretary Jerry Mikulas Legal Advisor Drew Popelka —SPJST—
Cookers Give to Meals on Wheels
Frankie Pustjovsky, left, and Jesse Pospisil present brisket and chicken to Patricia Rangel of Meals on Wheels following the Sixth Annual Lodge 29, Taylor Barbecue Cook-Off, held September 29 and 30. A total of eight large pans of meat was collected from the 69 barbecue cookers after judging. Many cookers also donated whole briskets.
Barbecue Cooks Gather at Lodge 29, Taylor SPJST Lodge 29, Taylor held its Sixth Annual Barbecue Cook-Off on Friday and Saturday, September 2930, 2006. There were 69 cooking teams and an overwhelming response of people who wanted to be food judges. Next year, Lodge 29 will host its Seventh Annual Barbecue Cook-Off on September 21 and 22, 2007. Mark your calendars! Friday night featured a free dance with music by The Crop Dusters, a new local country band. Every Friday, SPJST Lodge 29 allows the Thrall 4H to use the kitchen to sell hamburgers as a fund-raiser for the 4-H group. Friday night was a huge success for the 4-H group after selling out of hamburgers. During the weekend, Lodge 29, Keep Taylor Beautiful, and the local Boy Scout troop hosted a “green event” to pro-
mote recycling and litter reduction during the cook-off. The winning team for doing the best job of recycling went to the Hot Czech Cookers with Please see Lodge 29 on page 12.
Lodge 29, Taylor Sales Agent Albin Machu displays information about SPJST and its products at the Sixth Annual Barbecue Cook-Off in Taylor.