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Over 95 years of Fraternal Service THE STORY OF THE EAGLES is a story of fraternal crusading. "There is something about the Fraternal Order of Eagles that is different, distinctive, something not to be found in any other Order," an Indiana governor once observed. Other fraternal orders promote good fellowship, do good deeds, provide death payments or provide other benefits for their members, but the Eagles go further than that. They reach outside their own ranks to fight for the welfare of all. Since February of 1898, when the Order was founded by six theater owners in a Seattle waterfront shipyard, the Eagles not only welcomed the average man as a member, but fought for his right to a life of dignity and self-respect. To call the roll of early Eagle crusades -- for Workmen's Compensation Act, Mother's Pensions, Old Age Pensions and Social Security Laws - is to know what the Hoosier Congressman Louis Ludlow had in mind when he said of the Order, "It reaches out and tries to help in solving the distressing and difficult problems of human relief." As the late Franklin D. Roosevelt suggested they be, Eagles' crusades are continuing. "The pen I am presenting to the order is a symbol of my approval of the Fraternity's vision and courage," said Roosevelt when he signed the Social Security Act on Aug. 14, 1935, and gave the pen he used to the Eagles. "May its possession inspire your members to rededicate their efforts and those of the fraternity to the insuring of such economic and political conditions as well being a greater degree of happiness to our people." February 6 -- the anniversary of the founding of the Eagles -- is a road marker, pointing the way to the future as well as commemorating the progress that we have made. To Eagle programs for Old Age Security, Cancer Research, Youth Guidance and Inter-Faith Brotherhood must be added resolute Eagle support for making democracy work and helping freedom ‘ring round the world. For Eagledom, more than anything else, is a dream -- the dream that ordinary men and women everywhere are entitled to and shall enjoy the right to life, to liberty and to the pursuit of happiness with some reasonable chance of catching up to it in their lifetimes. Fraternal Order of Eagles Milestone of Eagle Progress1898 -- Order was founded on Feb. 6 in Seattle 1987 -- Eagles - CARE Drive to help poor in Belize 1988 -- Matching Grant program to Aeries sponsoring Drug Education Seminars 1989 -- Eagles launch Petition Drive to make desecration of American Flag a Federal Crime 1990 -- Memorial Foundation increases Educational Grants 1991 -- Eagle Drive for support of our military in Operation Desert Storm with mail and food 1992 -- Eagles launch fund to aid Florida Hurricane Andrew victims 1993 -- Eagles launch fund to help Midwest Floor Victims 1994 -- Eagles Donor Fund established 1995 -- Eagles donates $50,000 for the Eagle Alcove of the F.D.R. Memorial 1996 -- Dedicated the FOE Memorial Plaque to honor those who lost their lives in WW II 1998 -- $1,000,000 given to charities at Grand Aerie Convention 1999 -- Establish the H.O.M.E. Fund and G.R.E.A.T. Program |