"The Honor Degree of the VFW"
Est. September 17, 1920
Every VFW Post has its heart. Some have their history. But every so often, a Post has a group of veterans whose one job is to make other veterans smile.
That's the Cooties.
The Military Order of the Cootie is the officially recognized honor degree of the Veterans of Foreign Wars — a subordinate order of the VFW that has been carrying laughter, kindness, and companionship into VA hospitals, veterans' homes, and Post gatherings for over 100 years.
Their motto: Honor, Loyalty, Perseverance, and Industry.
Their favorite saying: "Keep 'em Smilin' in Beds of White."
Founded on September 17, 1920, the Military Order of the Cootie was created by WWI veterans who wanted something humorous to counter the heavy weight they carried home from the trenches.lotcs
The name? A cootie was the WWI soldier's slang for body lice — the little pests that were the constant, miserable companion of every soldier in the trenches. When you'd been through hell together with lice on your uniform, you didn't need to explain yourself to another Cootie.
Today, the Cooties carry that same brotherhood forward — but they've replaced hardship with laughter, camaraderie, and service.
The Cooties are known as "The Honor Degree" because their work goes above and beyond regular VFW membership. Their focus:
🏥 Visiting Sick, Wounded, and Hospitalized Veterans
Cooties bring smiles, gifts, treats, magazines, and companionship to veterans in VA hospitals, veterans' homes, and hospice care. For a veteran alone in a hospital bed, a Cootie visit can be the brightest moment of the week.
🎁 Throwing Parties
Birthday parties, holiday parties, ice cream socials, bingo nights — Cooties make sure hospitalized and homebound veterans are never forgotten during the seasons of celebration.
🎉 Bringing Joy
Cootie events are known for their silly regalia (bright caps, funny costumes, comedic ceremonies), their humor, and their absolute refusal to let a veteran spend a birthday alone.
🤝 Supporting the VFW
Cooties are required to remain active members of the VFW. They mentor new members, work committees, and strengthen every Post they belong to.
The M.O.C. is not a "sign up and pay dues" organization. You are invited.
To be eligible, you must:
✅ Be an active member of the VFW for at least six months
✅ Have completed satisfactory service on a Post committee, or performed Post duties, or actively led Post functions
✅ Be certified by your Post Commander and Post Adjutant
In short: You earn your way in by serving your VFW Post first.
Once inducted, membership must be maintained by staying active in the VFW. If you leave the VFW, you leave the Cooties.
"We Pick Our Company."
The M.O.C. has a whimsical structure that reflects its origin in a camp-and-tent era of American military life:
Members are called Cooties, leaders serve as Seam Squirrels and Pup Tent Commanders, and everybody has a nickname that would make a stand-up comic proud.
VFW Post 969 members who serve above and beyond for the Post — on committees, at events, in leadership — may be invited by an existing Cootie to join the Military Order of the Cootie through a local Pup Tent.
Interested? Already a Cootie visiting Tacoma? Want to help start Cootie activity through Post 969?
Contact Post 969:
📞 253-272-1405
✉️ adj@vfw969.org
Learn more at the national organization:
🌐 Military Order of the Cootie — Supreme Pup Tentlotcs
📞 412-824-2240
✉️ Supremehqmoc@lotcs.org
📍 604 Braddock Ave, Turtle Creek, PA 15146
"Keep 'em Smilin' in Beds of White."
Our mission at every hospital bed.
"Closer than a Brother."
Because cooties stick together.
"Busier than a Bee."
We work harder than we look.
"Increase and Multiply."
The Cootie way of recruiting.
"Honor, Loyalty, Perseverance, and Industry."
Our motto since 1920.
VFW Post 969 — Eric G. Sandstrom Post
📍 3510 McKinley Ave, Tacoma, WA 98404
📞 253-272-1405
✉️ adj@vfw969.org
🌐 vfw969.org
📘 Facebook
"Keep 'em Smilin' in Beds of White."
— Cootie mission, since 1920
No one does more for veterans — especially when they need a smile.