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WHEREAS, in 1951 Ray Fern served in the United States Air Force for a three-year tour of duty in Korea; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Fern became a member of the Jene-Mager Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 278 in Bloomfield in 1984; and
WHEREAS, the Veterans of Foreign Wars is charged with the mission to "honor the dead by helping the living" through veterans' service, community service, national security and a strong national defense; and
WHEREAS, the Military Order of the Cootie is recognized as a subordinate and auxiliary order of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, considered the "Honor Degree" of the parent organization; and
WHEREAS, the objectives of the organization are to promote social and reunion events among the members of the order and to keep alive therein the sprit of optimism and humor so characteristic of the American service man; and
WHEREAS, members of the Military Order of the Cootie have completed countless community service projects since the group's inception, particularly dedicating themselves to bringing smiles to the faces of two special groups of people - hospitalized veterans and residents of the VFW National Home; and
WHEREAS, due to his dedication to service and humor, the Military Order of the Cootie invited Ray Fern to join their ranks in 1991; and
WHEREAS, Ray Fern was honored as Cootie of the Year in 2002; and
WHEREAS, Ray Fern was elected Supreme Commander of the Military Order of the Cootie at the 87th Supreme Scratch on September 2, 2006, becoming the Fourth Supreme Commander from Pennsylvania, and the only Pittsburgher ever to achieve the rank in the Cootie's 88-year history; and
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh commends the Military Order of the Cootie for all its great work and congratulates Ray Fern for achieving the rank of Supreme Commander.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh hereby declares Tuesday, October 31, 2006 "Ray Fern Day" in the City of Pittsburgh.