Volume 100 Number 25
ˇ ´ VESTNIK S P J S T
Benevolence
H E R A L D
★ Humanity
ISSN —07458800
31st Convention Delegates Elect Supreme Lodge Members, Vestnik Editor
The 31st SPJST Convention was held June 11 to 13, 2012, in Killeen. Next week’s Vestnik will include complete convention results. Supreme Lodge Officers and the Vestnik Editor were elected by the entire delegation while directors were elected in their respective district caucuses. Supreme Lodge President Brian Vanicek Lodge 24, Cyclone
Supreme Lodge Vice President Gene McBride Lodge 200, Bruceville-Eddy
Supreme Lodge Secretary-Treasurer Leonard Mikeska Lodge 200, Bruceville-Eddy Vestnik Editor/Director of Communication Melanie Zavodny Lodge 246, Morgan’s Point
Supreme Lodge Directors District One Donnie Victorick Lodge 9, Snook District Two Jesse Pospisil Lodge 29, Taylor
District Three Johnnie Krizan Lodge 6, Cottonwood
District Four Billy Rollwitz Lodge 49, Rowena
District Five Larry W. Pflughaupt Lodge 88, Houston District Six Karen Kaspar Lodge 30, Taiton
District Seven Bob Bayer Lodge 107, Flo-
Flag Day
Lodge 172, Pasadena member Ed Schewe begins to raise the flag at the lodge hall on Flag Day (June 14). Looking on are Jo Mayfield, left, and Helen Schewe. Not pictured is Robert Mayfield.
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Important Dates ...................................3 Interest Rates.......................................3 Around the Districts............................3 Lodge Section......................................4 SPJST Cookbook Order Form............5 Reunions ..............................................6
★ Brotherhood
Heritage and History - Hand in Hand Sammy Hoggard • Lodge 202, Jourdanton 2012 Flag Day Essay Contest Winner
Heritage is our background that traces back for ages and interprets who our people are. I believe we can celebrate it by remembering what our ancestors did for us, even making the ultimate sacrifice to help build and protect our country. Preserving our history is an important part of who we are because it is a reflection of our heritage and tells the story of our ancestors. Celebrating our heritage and our history also helps us gain a better understanding of it, providing us with stories about how our land was founded and how our culture has been formed into today’s society. Although culture and history go hand in hand, they can provide very different information about the land and our forefathers. Even so, we can still celebrate them together, whether it’s learning about how our heritage was built or supporting our troops who are fighting Sammy reads his to maintain our freedoms. essay at the 31st In SPJST, we celebrate our American her- SPJST Convention in itage by honoring the flag at every meeting as Killeen. well as having a moment of silence for those protecting our freedoms. We participate in Flag Day ceremonies and frequently work with veteran organizations on community service projects. We preserve the history of our Czech ancestors and their contribution to Texas and America in our own museum so that future generations can understand the amazing challenges our ancestors faced. It is simple acts like these that express our American pride and our patriotism. We pray for those at home and across the seas, serving their country and preserving our American way of life. We honor and support veterans for protecting our American freedoms. Throughout the nation, we celebrate our American heritage with our national holidays which encourage citizens to gather their families to remember the freedoms we enjoy. We are very privileged to have many freedoms such as freedom of speech, religion, and assembly. Having gender equality is also a freedom we have and all of these are guaranteed because of people willing to risk their lives to protect the American dream. I think the best way to celebrate our American heritage is to be thankful and show our appreciation to our veterans, troops, and leaders by providing them the respect they have earned with their unselfish giving of their time and talents, often risking their lives and limbs. It is everyone’s duty to record our history and pass on this heritage to future generations to ensure the Declaration of Independence and Bill of Rights are honored and preserved for many years to come.
Inside This Week’s Vestnik
In Memoriam ........................................6 Youth Section.......................................8 Czech Culture ....................................11 Advertisements..................................13 Lodge Calendar .................................14 Youth Camp/YAD Dates ....................16
June 20, 2012
100 Percent SPJST Family
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Lodge 157 Lubbock members enjoy African safari
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District Two youth: One Act Play champs