LET'S CHAT: Coming together for a great cause, Fraternal Order of Eagles demonstrates how a community cares for its own

When Bob Tracy stopped by the office a few weeks ago, he came bearing a Card of Thanks – an expression of gratitude for an enormously kind and generous act that had moved him.

We were arriving at The Journal at the same time, so we walked in together, took care of what he came to do and then talked about the incredible generosity of people when there’s a crisis, in this case Bob’s crisis.

More or less, Bob and I know each other because he has worked for the City of Ritzville and I report on the city’s activities. He’s had his picture taken a few times. We’ve talked around the city at various job sites and he waves when we drive by each other. Other than that, our paths seldom cross.

There is a place in our lives where our paths have crossed, one we both would have preferred to avoid. I’m a cancer survivor now and Bob is in the fight of his life. Last spring he received the kind of news none of us want. He has leukemia. The chemotherapy – part of the cure – has been extensive and has physically impacted him. Not long ago he retired from the city’s public works department, unable to work because of the disease that has invaded his world.

Bob is waiting for a match on the bone marrow transplant list. The next phase of treatment will be a long arduous road in a gallant fight to save his life. When a donor is found, Bob and his wife, Sandy, will travel to Seattle for the procedure and will remain there for up to four months during the monitoring and recovery process.

There was a moment in our chat in the office where emotions spiked a bit, a voice cracked and a tear or two were shed. We stepped out on the sidewalk and I remember Bob apologizing for those emotions.

I realized we have something more in common.

Not just the fact each of us as been visited by cancer, but the idea that during treatment something happened to us that causes our emotions to express themselves no matter how strong we try to be. You look at life through a brand new set of glasses and the entire experience erodes part of a man’s hardened exterior.

The emotions boiling over at that moment were truly tears of joy!

In the midst of Bob’s battle, he and Sandy are facing the mounting expenses of treatment. The bone marrow transplant alone could top $500,000 plus the expenses for living in Seattle during the four months of treatment and recovery. Health insurance will help but won’t solve the entire expense.

Here’s where the tears of joy come in.

The Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 2739 stepped up in grand fashion and held an amazing benefit event on behalf of Bob and Sandy. The volunteers produced an incredible effort on behalf of two members of the community. They all deserve the highest praise for their efforts.

The dinner and silent auction collected a preliminary total of just under $9,000 according to our Oct. 25 follow up article. And the money was still coming in.

Bob was touched and rendered speechless by the show of love directed his way. At the same time, he found something profound in the process — a positive community experience. While he’d rather not be the person in need, the former Aerie president was proud of the way the Eagles stepped up.

The Fraternal Order of Eagles was formed in 1898, ironically, in Seattle. Today the organization spans the United States and Canada with a mission focused on doing good things — “People Helping People.”

Too often it’s easy to see the negatives and recognize what is wrong with a person or a community.

The Eagles reminded Bob and I, there is good work being done and good work to do and that in times of crisis, a small community knows how to rally.

As an organization, the F.O.E. has done many amazing things and been a prime example of what is good and right with our country. Sure, some will say the organization’s prime function is to operate a bar. It is a fraternal organization, a social club just like the Elks, Lions and Moose. All of these groups gather together frequently in a social capacity — as a brotherhood. Whether or not they drink whiskey or water together has no bearing on the great work they do on behalf of country and community.

For instance, the Fraternal Order of Eagles is credited with starting Mother’s Day.

How many remember that the F.O.E. was a champion of the creation of Social Security?

The organization’s “Jobs After 40” effort helped to combat age discrimination in the work place.

With 850,000 Aerie members and 250,000 auxiliary members, the organization is mighty in its collective efforts to combat a variety of diseases — kidney, heart, diabetes, spinal cord injury and cancer. There’s also a children’s fund, a memorial fund and an ever-present support of our military and their families.

The F.O.E. donates more then $100 million a year to local communities and charities.

Locally, the F.O.E. hosts Ritzville’s annual Easter Egg Hunt, and organizes and hosts benefit events when needed for people just like Bob.

Our local Eagles, when they set their mind to it, accomplish great things. What they pulled together on behalf of Bob and Sandy was a superb act of kindness and compassion, certainly something Bob and Sandy will never forget.

In their Card of Thanks two lines touched me deeply: “Please know that our hearts are bursting with love and pride for knowing you all. With this wonderful, generous gift you have given us, we will have a lot less worries on our journey.”

Bravo to the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 2739, especially those amazing women who brought the benefit to life and to all those who contributed and supported the cause.

Cheers to you all!