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 VFW National Home for Children and veterans hospitals.[2] Founded in 1920, it became a subsidiary of the VFW in 1923.[3][4][5]

Military Order of the Cootie
Emblem
Wreath Laying Ceremony at the
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
AbbreviationMOC
EstablishedSeptember 17, 1920 (1920-09-17)
Founders
  • Fred C. Madden
  • F. L. Gransbury
Founded atWashington, D.C.
Headquarters604 Braddock Avenue,
Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania
Coordinates40.404917°N 79.829452°W / 40.404917; -79.829452
Region served
Worldwide
Darin Combs
Olin Parks
Dwight Hora
Parent organization
Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States
Websitelotcs.org

History

The order (originally known as the Military Order of the Cootie, U.S.A.) was established on September 17, 1920, in Washington, D.C., by Fred C. 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]

Notable members

Notable members of the Military Order of the Cootie have included:

See also
  • List of veterans organizations

References
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. "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.
  4. 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.
  5. Whaley, Ramona (December 13, 1987). "Cooties Serious About Smiles". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved September 19, 2015.
  6. "'Cooties' elect new leaders, collect for hospitalized vets". The Avenue News. May 16, 2013. Retrieved September 19, 2015.
  7. McGinnis, Judith. "Order Of The Cootie: Social veteran group traces history to WWI". Longview News-Journal. Retrieved September 19, 2015.
  8. Dyhouse, Janie (September 2020). "VFW's Cooties Celebrate 100 Years of Service". VFW Magazine. Vol. 108 no. 1. Kansas City, Mo.: Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. p. 26. ISSN 0161-8598. Presidents George H.W. Bush and Harry S. Truman were life members of the Military Order of the Cootie...
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