ˇ ´ VESTNIK S P J S T
Volume 106 Number 24
Benevolence
H E R A L D
★ Humanity
★ Brotherhood
June 27, 2018
ISSN —07458800
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standing up for our american flag
by Channing Flatt - Multi-Media Journalist
Caitlyn Petett • Lodge 107, Floresville 2018 Flag Day Essay Contest Winner Congratulations to Caitlyn Petett, 13, of Lodge 107, Floresville for submitting the winning essay, “Standing Up For Our American Flag” in SPJST’s 2018 Flag Day Essay Contest. For her efforts, Caitlyn will be receiving a $100 Visa gift card. Congratulations to Caitlyn for submitting the winning essay, and thanks to all SPJST youth for participating in this year’s contest. Stars and stripes waving in the wind remind us of our freedom. As a child, I am often told to honor and respect our flag. I do so because I am reminded of what it symbolizes by my teachers and parents; however, it wasn’t until that Saturday afternoon that I learned the true meaning of the American flag and how it was my duty to protect and honor those stars and stripes. While visiting my grandmother and helping her clean out some storage boxes, I came across an old, neatly folded American flag. I asked my grandmother where she got the flag. She bowed her head and told me that it was given to my great-grandmother when my great-grandfather passed away. It was that day that I learned
that my great-grandfather had served in the United States Coast Guard. The flag was presented to my great-grandmother upon his passing as a symbol of his service and dedication to protecting the flag and our country. My grandmother shared stories of the many adventures my great-grandfather had as part of his service to our country. It was that day that I truly understood the sacrifices made by so many men and women who still protect us to this day. I already had a great deal of respect for our flag, but now I believe it is my duty as an American to respect and honor people who have served in the military. I am going to stand up for the flag because my family did, as well as so many others.
Flag Day Essay Contest Winners • $25 Visa Gift Cards Ages 5 to 8 Morgan Oliver Lodge 183, Arlington
Ages 9 to 11 Angelica Manzano Lodge 40, El Campo-Hillje
Ages 15 to HS Senior Grace Lewis Lodge 9, Snook
C
amp Kubena has always been proud of its rich Czech history. We’re so proud, in fact, that we hired one of our support staff straight from the motherland. Tereza Wagnerut, (“Terka” for short) is Camp Kubena’s first member of the family to come from the Czech Republic, and we couldn’t be happier to have her. Terka says that even though she is a long way from home, being here brings a sense of familiarity that makes it feel like she never left. Even though the Czech Republic is very different from Ledbetter, Texas, Terka says she finds Camp Kubena’s Czech heritage very comforting. “It’s really nice to see all the Czech words around camp,” said Terka. Terka says that she could have selected from many different camps, but Camp Kubena’s Czech connection made her choice very easy. “I was attracted to the connection of the camp with the Czech Republic,” said Terka. Terka may be very far away from her home, but she says that she has many reminders of home that keep her from getting homesick. “Yeah, I miss home a little bit, but many things here remind me of home, and
camps in the Czech Republic,” said Terka. Here at Camp Kubena, we’re very proud of all our staff, but Terka is an addition that we’re especially excited about. Terka gives us an opportunity to explore our cultural heritage from the eyes of someone who’s had a lifetime of cultural experience in the Czech Republic. This summer is going to be very special to Camp Kubena, and with Terka’s cultural enlightenment, it’s going to be that much more memorable! —SPJST—
N N N N N N N N Inside This Week’s Věstník N N N N N N N N Interest Rates.......................................3 Important Dates ...................................3 Readers Write ......................................3 Recipe...................................................3 Job Posting..........................................4 Lodge Section......................................4
In Memoriam ........................................9 Youth Section.....................................10 Youth Clubs’ Quarterly Report .........11 Czech Culture ....................................12 Advertisements .................................13 Lodge Calendar .................................14
Lodge 63 Sweet Home honors 75-year members
Lodge 47 Seaton recognizes graduate Page 6
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Page 11
Lodge 185 New Braunfels youth donates hair to Pantene Beautiful Lengths