I think that the Fraternal Order of Eagles might very well be one of the best ideas that man has come up with .

The Mission statement reads :

"Fraternal Order of Eagles Mission Statement

The Fraternal Order of Eagles, an international non-profit organization, unites fraternally in the spirit of liberty, truth, justice, and equality, to make human life more desirable by lessening its ills, and by promoting peace, prosperity, gladness and hope."

The list of accomplishments that the Eagles have made are nothing less than staggering. They include :

The History of Four Pens

Through the years, the Fraternal Order of Eagles has encouraged programs and legislation that benefit many Americans — especially the young and old. The "Four Pens" are the actual instruments three United States presidents and a governor used to sign the documents that made these programs a reality. Each of these pens, which is displayed at the F.O.E. International Headquarters in Grove City, Ohio was presented to the F.O.E. by the legislator who signed the bill or measure.

Old Age Pensions

"You Eagles have planted this seed...if the Eagles of the United States never do anything else, they have more than justified their existence in their advocacy of this great humanitarian movement."

Gov. Joseph M. Dixon, Governor of Montana, signing into law America's first old age pension law (1923)

Social Security

"The pen I am presenting the Order is a symbol of my approval of the Fraternity's vision and courage. May its possession inspire your members to dedicate their efforts and those of the Fraternity...to bring a greater degree of happiness to our people."

President Franklin D. Roosevelt, on the occasion of the signing of the Social Security Act (1935)

Jobs After 40

"The Eagles started this whole idea. That is why I invited the Eagles to be at this private bill signing, and the reason I am presenting this pen to the Fraternal Order of Eagles."

President Lyndon B. Johnson, signing the federal "Jobs After 40" bill, outlawing upper age limits in hiring

Medicare

"For your energetic and dedicated espousal of social justices, and for the generous support you have given to all measures designed to further economic opportunity and the compassionate treatment of the sick and disabled."

President Lyndon B. Johnson, in a message to the Eagles on the signing of the Medicare amendment to the Social Security Act

As well as getting Mothers day past as a holiday

http://www.foe.com/about-us/mothers-day.aspx

and helping to get the Social Security act past .

http://www.foe.com/about-us/social-security.aspx

Not bad for an idea that was born from 7 guys that got together with an idea all of those years ago .

There are however problems

Some of these problems should have been clear to the heart of the membership some time ago.

We as the F.O.E. can proudly mention that 7 united states presidents hace been member of the F.O.E. with pride :

U.S. Presidents Serve as Eagles

Seven American Presidents held membership in the Fraternal Order of Eagles.

• Theodore R. Roosevelt - Cheyenne, Wyoming, 26th President
• Warren G. Harding - Marion, Ohio, 29th President
• Franklin D. Roosevelt - Buffalo, New York, 32nd President
• Harry S. Truman - Independence, Missouri, 33rd president
• John F. Kennedy - Hyde Park, Massachusetts, 35th President
• James Earl "Jimmy" Carter - Atlanta, Georgia, 39th President, Eagles Honorary Lifetime Member
• Ronald W. Reagan - Santa Barbara, California, 40th President, Eagles Honorary Lifetime Member

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However it is important to note that a United States President hasn't been a member in a number of years ..well since Reagan .

WIth the Rich history and the accomplishments that the F.O.E. has made ...it should be note worthy for members to realize that there must have been a pretty good reason why Presidents stopped being members

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As a man that had never heard of the Eagles untill about 5 years ago ,and in fact had to Look up the F.O.E. website on the internet to see what the group was about ...then went on to serve as a officer for the past 5 years ...starting off as a outside guard and working my way up to president ... I can tell you that there is a LOT of work to be done in the F.O.E.

I will not mence words ...

It is a little more than distrubing to me ,that it took untill the year 2007 for the Eagles to make women equal members.

It is just as distriubing to me that never in the five years of going to meetings ..eaither at my own aerie ...going to district meetings or going to Zone meetings ...or while visiting the website have I ever seen a person of color anywhere associated with the F.O.E.

EVER .

Continued ...