Military Order of the Cootie
The Military Order of the Cootie of the United States (MOC, or simply Military Order of the Cootie) is a national honor degree membership association separately constituted as a subordinate and as an auxiliary order chartered by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW).[1] The organization's services include supporting the Veterans of Foreign Wars National Home for Children and veterans hospitals.[2] Founded in 1920, it became a subsidiary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States in 1923.[3][4][5]
Emblem | |
Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier | |
Abbreviation | MOC |
---|---|
Established | September 17, 1920 |
Founders |
|
Founded at | Washington, D.C. |
Headquarters | 604 Braddock Avenue, Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania |
Coordinates | 40.4049174°N 79.8294522°W |
Region served | Worldwide |
Darin Combs | |
Olin Parks | |
Dwight Hora | |
Parent organization | Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States |
Website | lotcs |
History
The Military Order of the Cootie (originally known as the Military Order of the Cootie, U.S.A.) was established on September 17, 1920, in Washington, D.C., by Fred Madden and F. L. Gransbury. The organization was modeled after the Imperial Order of the Dragon, an auxiliary to the United Spanish American War Veterans. The name "cootie" is a reference to the lice that plagued soldiers in World War I. Cooties were credited with keeping soldiers' heads down in the trenches.[6] A meeting of cooties is called a "scratch", the local chapter a "Pup Tent", the state affiliate a "Grand", and the national headquarters at Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania, "The Supreme."[7]
See also
- List of veterans organizations
References
- Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Congressional Charter, National By-Laws, Manual of Procedure and Ritual (2018 Podium ed.). Kansas City, Missouri: Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. 2017. pp. 56–61.
- Simeone, Lisa (November 11, 2000). "Profile: Military Order of the Cootie, a group of veterans that visits other veterans in hospitals". NPR Weekend Edition - Sunday. National Public Radio. Archived from the original on October 18, 2016. Retrieved September 19, 2015 – via HighBeam Research.
- "Fun-loving veterans' group has 'cooties' - and is proud of it". The Virginian-Pilot. Norfolk, Virginia: McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. April 7, 2010. Archived from the original on April 9, 2016. Retrieved September 19, 2015 – via HighBeam Research.
- Basinger, Rachel R. (November 13, 2007). "'Cooties' Put Grins on Veterans' Faces". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Trib Total Media. Retrieved September 19, 2015 – via Questia Online Library.
- Whaley, Ramona (December 13, 1987). "Cooties Serious About Smiles". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved September 19, 2015.
- "'Cooties' elect new leaders, collect for hospitalized vets". The Avenue News. May 16, 2013. Retrieved September 19, 2015.
- McGinnis, Judith. "Order Of The Cootie: Social veteran group traces history to WWI". Longview News-Journal. Retrieved September 19, 2015.
External links
- Official
- General information
Media related to Military Order of the Cootie at Wikimedia Commons - United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration at the Department of Defense Vietnam War Commemoration Program Office
- Veterans of Foreign Wars National Home for Children in Eaton Rapids, Michigan
- Works by or about Military Order of the Cootie at Internet Archive
- Works by or about Military Order of the Cootie in libraries (WorldCat catalog)