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Eagles celebrating 30th anniversary

It is documented that on Feb. 6, 1898, six men sitting on a lumber pile in a shipyard in Seattle, Wash., decided to form an organization that, while providing activities and events for its members, would also focus on helping other individuals, communities and the nation.

Starting out as a fledgling project, they called it the Order of Good Things. As it grew, and after its formal organization, the name was changed to Fraternal Order of Eagles.

From that informal conversation of six men sitting on a lumber pile, the Eagles organization has grown to 1 million members, who are known internationally, with clubs from Montreal to Manilla, from Alaska to Florida.

Their presence in early, consistent and successful campaigning to help people has been noted and recognized by Congress and even publicly thanked for their good works by the late Rose Kennedy, mother of the late President John F. Kennedy.

Service, not secrecy, is the watchword of Eagles. The motto is “People helping people.”

In Vandalia

The Old Capitol Eagles Aerie No. 3901 began accepting applications for the local chapter of the Fraternal Order of Eagles in November 1979, and on Jan. 13, 1980, an initiation was held at Vandalia Community High School for 88 members. The Aerie (men) now has 125 members.

The Eagles Auxiliary (women) has 78 members.

The late Harley Thompson, one of the charter members, served as the first Worthy President of the Aerie. His wife, Ruby Thompson, also a charter member, served as the first president of the auxiliary. Although Ruby has long lived in Texas, she has faithfully paid her dues and remains a member.

On the same day that an initiation ceremony was held for Aerie No. 3901, 100 women were initiated into the Eagles Auxiliary.

Auxiliary officers Delila Beckman, who currently serves as president, and Irene Webber, a charter member who serves as treasurer, shared the story of the local club, which received its charter on Feb. 15, 1980.

Auxiliary officers are: past madam president, Bessie Cole; president, Delila Beckman; vice president, Arlene Clymer; secretary, Wanda Carroll; and treasurer, Irene Webber. Also serving are: chaplain, Donna Hale; conductor, Ruth Holiday; inside guard, Betty Berry; and outside guard, Diane Richards.

Trustees are Joyce Taylor, Evelyn Talbott and Kathy Miller. Other members serve on various committees.

The auxiliary is involved in various community functions, such as the “Walk Across America” held on Memorial Day to honor past and current military personnel. They also donate to many community projects, programs and causes.

Some Eagles History

The newly formed club met for a while at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post Home until a home could be found for the Eagles.

They then purchased the Farm Bureau building at Sixth and Main streets, which had been damaged by fire, and began meeting in the basement after membership cleanup crews made repairs.

The club opened in August 1980, and after the members made repairs, and the meetings were moved upstairs in April 1981.

The members held benefits, such as chicken dinners and dances, to raise funds to repair, clean and furnish the building.

‘People helping People’

Pioneers for social reform, the Eagles have a history of crusading for social legislation, beginning with their with their support of workmen’s compensation acts. They co-sponsored the first comprehensive, statewide compensation act in 1908.

In 1911, they proposed and secured the enactment of America’s first public pension law, called the mothers’ allowance act.

They were the first national organization to campaign for pensions for the aged in 1921. From 1923, when the first old age pension law was enacted in Montana, the Eagles led the fight state-by-state until 1934, when the old age pension laws were enacted in 28 states.

During the Great Depression, the Eagles joined other groups in seeking a federal old age security law. The Social Security law was introduced into Congress in January 1935.

On Aug. 24, 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security bill and presented the pen to the Eagles, “as a symbol of my approval of the Fraternity’s vision and courage.” FDR was a life member of the Eagles.

When President Lyndon Johnson signed the bill outlawing job discrimination based on age, he presented the pen to the Eagles with the comment, “You fellows started this.”

The Eagles Club has raised millions of dollars to combat heart disease and cancer, helped handicapped children, uplifted and helped the aged, and made life brighter and better in general for many who are less fortunate.

Giving Donations

Both the Eagles Aerie and Auxiliary donate to many funds, including the Max Baer Heart Fund, Jimmy Durante’s Children’s Fund, Ronald McDonald House in Springfield, St. Jude Hospital; Shriners Hospitals for Children and Boys Town for Troubled Youths in Nebraska, and to organizations aiding with Alzheimer’s Disease, child abuse and spinal cord injuries.

Locally

The local Eagles Club have donated to many organizations and causes, including Kaskaskia College, Jefferson School special education classes, FAYCO, Fayette County Relay for Life, Reading is FUNdamental, OUR PLACE Youth Center, the Vandalia Sport Fishing & Conservation Club’s handicapped fishing pier, Vandalia cheerleaders, VFW Relief Fund, Fayette County proms, Evans Library (to purchase books), Operation OUTING, Vandalia Main Street, Special Olympics, DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education), Vandalia Fire Department, Vandalia Jaycees, Mulberry Grove Rocket Team, Vandalia Terrace, Girl Scouts, Lighthouse Pregnancy Center, Brownstown Sports Boosters and Vandalia Junior Wrestling. The auxiliary also holds benefits to help individuals.

They have also written to obtain grants for various projects, including one for a roof for the Senior Citizens Center.

The Auxiliary

Eagles Auxiliary No. 3901 welcomes new members to share in their motto and purpose of “People Helping People.” The Auxiliary motto is also “For Home, For God, and Country.”

30th Anniversary Celebration

The local Eagles Aerie and Auxiliary plan a members-only 30th anniversary dinner at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 23. A program will follow at 7:00 p.m., and the public is welcome to attend. A dance will be held at 9 p.m.

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