Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
WORLAND — The Fraternal Order of Eagles (FOE) Aerie and Auxiliary 3096 in Worland will be hosting the state convention Wednesday through Sunday, June 8-12, the first time in four years.
This year the Wyoming Aerie of the Fraternal Order of Eagles celebrates its 100th year and the Auxiliary celebrates its 74th year.
According to Worland Auxiliary member Lory August, on Wednesday, June 8, a poker run registration begins at 7 a.m. at Eagles Hall with Kick stands up at 8 a.m. For Eagle member golfers, registration for the golf tournament is at 11 a.m. at Green Hills Golf Course and tee off at noon.
Meetings will be held at the Eagles Club and Worland Community Center Complex.
Thursday’s festivities begin with a flag raising at the Eagles Club at 8:45 a.m. with the Boy Scouts and American Legion.
Grand Worthy President Brian Rogers will sing the national anthem. Dignitaries will speak during a joint meeting between the aerie and auxiliary at 9 a.m.
The Eagles Aerie and Auxiliary 3096 will be welcoming several national Eagles officers to the state convention. August said many of the Grand members have never been to Wyoming.
Grand officers who will be attending include:
•Chuck Weber of Casper. Weber is the Grand Worthy Vice President of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, joining more than 38 years ago. He will become the Grand Worthy President this next year for 2023-24. He will be the first Grand Aerie President from Wyoming.
He became a member in 1979 after a friend took him to the Eagles bowling alley and lounge and he was able to find out what the Eagles were all about. He began his service immediately upon initiation as he was elected as aerie treasurer.
He has held the position of worthy president six times, state president in 1993-94, Mountain Regional president in 1996-97 and was Wyoming’s first Grand Aerie officer when he was elected grand inside guard in 1997-98.
•Brian Rogers, Grand Worthy President of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, joined Sunnyslope Aerie 2957 in Phoenix, Arizona in 1976. He has served as president of his Aerie, State President and was installed this year in Phoenix as The Grand Worthy President.
•Grand Madam President Brenda Garrick from Canada.
•James Ahlers is the Mountain Regional President. He joined the Idaho Falls Aerie 576 in 2002. He has served as Worthy Conductor and Worthy President and Idaho State Worthy President.
•Danny Jones, Grand Trustee of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, joined the F.O.E. on May 26, 1992. He is currently a member of the Shoals, Indiana, Aerie 2442. He has serves as Worthy President and is the Indiana State Treasurer.
•Robin Park, Grand Madam Outside Guard, joined the Fraternal Order of Eagles in 2005 as a member of the Auxiliary Juneau/Douglas 4200 in Juneau, Alaska.
August said club member Mike Karr is the Wyoming State Worthy Outside Guard and will be running for Wyoming State Worthy Inside Guard. Joe Kunz is the Wyoming State Worthy one-year trustee and will run for three-year trustee. Danny August is Wyoming State Worthy Junior Past President. Lory August is Wyoming State Junior Past Madam State President.
ABOUT THE EAGLES
The Fraternal Order of Eagles is an international nonprofit organization with a mission of “uniting fraternally in the spirit of liberty, truth, justice, and equality, to make human life more desirable by lessening its ills and promoting peace, prosperity, gladness and hope,” according to the website, foe.com.
The F.O.E. donates more than $10 million a year to local communities, fundraisers, charities and more. As part of its philosophy, the F.O.E. gives back 100 percent of monies raised in the form of grants. Fundraisers are conducted for eight major charities, including kidney, heart, diabetes, cancer and spinal cord injury funds, a children’s fund, memorial foundation and the Golden Eagle Fund.
According to the website, The F.O.E. began in 1898, when six Seattle-area theater owners came together to share their passion for social progress and a dedication to philanthropy with the greater community.
The F.O.E. continues to work hard to bring citizens together in the name of bettering communities and raising funds to assist friends and neighbors in need.
Locally, August said the Sunday dinners and other fundraisers they hold help the local community here. She said the money is sent to Grand and then the Aerie or Auxiliary can apply for grant funding for projects. August said some of the ways they have been able to give back to the community is funding for the senior center, Special Olympics equipment and jerseys, D.A.R.E., bike helmets and shin guards for the Worland Police Department, New Hope Humane Society, Washakie County Ministerial Association food pantry, Washakie Medical Center, Washakie County Library by purchasing large print books and benefits for members in need.
The Eagles website lists as their major accomplishments: Founded Mother’s Day; created the $25 million Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center at the University of Iowa; served as driving force behind Social Security; helped end age-based job discrimination with the Jobs After 40 program; and distributed Ten Commandments monoliths across the United States.