ˇ ´ VESTNIK S P J S T
Volume 102 Number 26
Benevolence
H E R A L D
★ Humanity ISSN —07458800
How Do You Honor the National Flag? April Dvorak • Lodge 25, Ennis 2014 Flag Day Essay Contest Winner
“Soul is freedom. Love is power. Hope is love. Dreams are revolutions.” These are the thought-provoking words of 18th century jurist and scholar Joseph Hopkinson. As a girl who wants to inspire others, make a difference in the world, and dream big, this quote has special meaning to me. I recall the day that I discovered what those words meant. I had been thinking about everything important in my life like my parents, peers, and leaders who inspired me to be the person I am today . . . It all came together when I took a walk outside and saw the symbol of freedom, power, love, and revolution. That symbol was my American flag. Just as people honor others, I do the same thing with my American flag. I honor my National flag in many ways and Congratulations to for different reasons. One of those reasons is April Dvorak freedom. I display and fly our National flag in a of Lodge 25, Ennis respectful manner to symbolize freedom being who presented her shared among American citizens. When on dis- winning essay at the play with other flags, the National flag should be Leaders-in-Training workshop held positioned to its own right. When the flag is disJune 14 at SPJST played from a staff, the flag should be placed at Education and Nature the highest point of the staff unless the flag is at Center at Cooper half-staff. The flag should be the highest-flying Farm in Ledbetter. flag when with other flags. When the flag is against a wall, the stars should to the observer’s left. I think by performing these acts, I show patriotism and freedom. I also honor our flag by showing its power and love, just by taking action in simple things that represent how magnificent our country is. I do this by placing my hand over my heart, and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and National Anthem with humbleness. I think about how lucky I am to live in this exquisite country, and how much of an honor it is to have heroes give up their lives just so our American society could be free, powerful, and loved. It is with great pride that I honor our National flag and country. I am proud to be an American. I wouldn’t be proud to be an American if it wasn’t for my Czech ancestors taking the voyage to America. Coming to America was definitely a radical
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Important Dates ...................................3 Interest Rates.......................................3 Readers Write ......................................3 District News........................................4 Lodge Section .....................................6 In Memoriam ......................................13
★ Brotherhood
Remembering the soldiers who made the Iwo Jima photograph famous
Editor’s Note: Fayette County Judge Ed Janecka was the speaker for a Flag Day program held during Leaders-inTraining workshop at SPJST Education and Nature Center at Cooper Fayette County Judge Ed Janecka displays a photo of Farm in Ledbetter, the Iwo Jima Memorial while speaking at Leaders-inTexas. Special Training workshop at Flag Day on Saturday, June 14 at thanks to Judge SPJST Education and Nature Center at Cooper Farm. Janecka for sharmemorial as he is the son of Joe ing his presentation with the Vestnik. Bradley, one of the individuals who Thank you for the opportunity to helped raise the flag. He gave the stuspeak to you this morning. You know dents a quick history of the men who when we look at that beautiful flag, we were depicted on the monument. I all have our own feelings about what thought you might find it interesting to the flag means to us. Along with a find out a little more about these men. Six boys raised the flag; the first guy great feeling of pride and patriotism, it also gives me a feeling of safety. I putting the pole in the ground was Harknow when I was in Viet Nam and I lon Block. Block was born in Yorksaw that American flag, I always felt town, Texas. A natural athlete, Harlon lead the Weslaco Football Team to the safe. One of the most iconic representa- conference championship. Harlon and tion of World War II and the most me- 12 of his teammates enlisted in the morialized display of the American Marines together in 1943. They were flag is the Iwo Jima Memorial. Joe off to play another type of game (called Rosenthal passed away several years war). But, it didn’t work out for Harlon ago. Joe was the Associated Press pho- – he died at the age of 21, never leavtographer who took that famous pic- ing the island. James pointed to the statue and said, ture. Joe’s eyesight was bad enough to make him a 4F, but clearly he saw well “You see the next guy – that’s Rene Gagnon from New Hampshire – if you enough to give us this great picture. I recently read an article about some took Rene’s helmet off at the moment school children from Wisconsin who this photo was taken and look at the were visiting the memorial. As they webbing of that helmet, you would find exited the bus, they were greeted by a photograph – a photograph of his James Bradley, also a native of WisContinued on Page 5. consin. James was there visiting the
Inside This Week’s Vestnik
Youth Section ....................................15 Youth Merit Points Update ...............17 Youth Program Quarterly Report .....19 Czech Culture ....................................20 Advertisements .................................21 Lodge Calendar .................................22
June 25, 2014
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Lodge 141 Sealy members tour fire station
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Lodge 184 Moulton gives to organizations
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Lodge 6 Cottonwood Youth Club honors fathers