Military Order of the Cootie

Military Order of the Cootie

Emblem
Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Abbreviation	MOC
Established	September 17, 1920 (103 years ago) (1920-09-17)
Founders	Fred C. Madden F. L. Gransbury
Founded at	Washington, D.C.
Headquarters	604 Braddock Avenue, Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania
Coordinates	40.404917°N 79.829452°W / 40.404917; -79.829452
Region served	Worldwide
Supreme Seam Squirrel	Mark Larkin
Supreme Blanket Bum	Robbie Normand
Supreme Hide Gimlet	Eric Bell
Parent organization	Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States
Website	lotcs.org

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

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] The Cooties are modeled after the Mason's Shriners as they are to the VFW as what a Shriner is to the Masons. 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:

• 
  Harry Truman, 33rd President of the United States^[8]
• 
  George Bush, 41st President of the United States^[8]

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 (Podium Edition 2024 ed.). Kansas City, Missouri: Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. August 22, 2023. Article XII.
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.
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.
4. Basinger, Rachel R. (November 13, 2007). "'Cooties' Put Grins on Veterans' Faces". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Trib Total Media.
5. Whaley, Ramona (December 13, 1987). "Cooties Serious About Smiles". Orlando Sentinel. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved September 19, 2015.
6. "'Cooties' elect new leaders, collect for hospitalized vets". The Avenue News. May 16, 2013. Archived from the original on October 16, 2023. Retrieved September 19, 2015.
7. McGinnis, Judith. "Order Of The Cootie: Social veteran group traces history to WWI". Longview News-Journal. Archived from the original on May 12, 2015. 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...

External links

• Official website
• Military Order of the Cootie on Facebook
• Veterans of Foreign Wars National Home for Children in Eaton Rapids, Michigan
• Works by or about Military Order of the Cootie at Internet Archive