MILITARY ORDER OF THE COOTIES
MOC
The Military Order of the Cootie (MOC) is an organization within an organization. The Cooties are a part of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). It is a distinction reserved for "active" members of the VFW; those who have succeeded as an officer on any level, or who have demonstrated ability as a leader of a major Post committee or function. These Comrades-in-arms have a special place reserved for them in the MOC; a place of recognition for efforts made by those who want to make a difference in the world around them.
In addition to the important work of the VFW, Cooties take on the added responsibility of support for the kids at the VFW National Home for Children in Eaton Rapids, Michigan, and in the spirit of taking care of our own, we follow our self-appointed directive to "Keep 'em Smilin' in Beds of White," and support the hospitalized veterans in VA Medical Facilities, domiciliaries, and hospitals around the United States, and throughout the world.
These efforts earned us the title of, "The Honor Degree of the Veterans of Foreign Wars," a title that we hold as precious and one that we take seriously. Our local units or "Pup Tents" as they are commonly known, recruit thousands of new VFW members each year. Though small in number, we raise thousands of Dollars for our local Post programs; thousands more for the National Home, and literally Millions of Dollars in volunteer credits at VA Medical Centers each year.
Our distinctive red hat is earned by effort and a sign of recognition. It is the badge of honor for those committed to the values of the VFW and the extra effort of being a Comrade, "Closer Than A Brother - Busier Than A Bee.”
You probably already know some Cooties, since nearly every officer on every level of the VFW is also a member of this elite society. The prime directive of the Military Order of the Cootie is to Have Fun. It is the Preamble of our Supreme By-Laws. It is the glue that holds us together and makes us special. It is what helps us to hang on and give that last push to get us over the top for a program when things get tough. Our hat, our uniform, even our name is designed to bring a smile to those who come in contact with us. As our hero, The Great Blue Louse instructs us, "A smile is the one thing that you can give that you will always get back," we strive to bring humor to our efforts, to our fellow veterans and to those less fortunate than us.
Links to the MOC Grand of Maryland are provided below:
Cootie History
The name Cootie originated during World War I when the different armies were massed together on the battlefields of France. Each country represented in WWI contributed to what is known as the Cootie, by amalgamation of lice. The common American Greyback, the Black Algerian Schinnels, the great Blue Louse from India, the British Blue Blooks, the Belgian Gold-Striped Heneckers, the French Grey and the Gold Parisian Cooties were all thrown together in the trenches and at once began to increase and multiply so that by the end of the war we had the most intelligent Cooties that would be produced. They were known to bite the soldiers at just the right time to save the soldier's lives; for often when a shell left the German trenches the Cooties would bite the soldiers, causing them to stoop and scratch at just the exact time that the shell would pass over the place where the soldier's head had been.
Many soldiers, lying in the shell holes, were saved from death when the highly intelligent Cooties, knowing that a shell was coming in their direction would bite the soldiers, causing such agony that they were forced to retreat to the trenches or other places of safety for "shirt reading" and "seam running" while the shell burst harmlessly in the places they had just vacated. The Cootie Organization of today carries on in the same degree of usefulness. The Military Order of the Cootie members work for their parent organizations, "the Veterans of Foreign Wars", and continuing to do good for all whom they come in contact with. They are always ready to help their Comrades, the Comrades' widows and orphans, and contribute generously to the maintenance of the Orphanage at Eaton Rapids, Michigan. At this orphanage a swimming pool and playground known as Cootie Field, a complete and modern fire department has been built and financed by the Cooties.
The spirit of Comradeship and good will that exists in the Cooties is beyond comparison in other organizations, for in the Cooties, Fun is King and the willingness to help in any cause for the betterment of humanity is their goal.
Hence the Cootie slogan, "Busier that a Bee", and "Closer than a Brother".