The name "Cootie" originated in World War I when the different armies
were massed together on the battlefields of France. Each country
represented in WWI contributed to what is now known as the Cooties, by
amalgamation of lice. The common American Greyback, the Black Algerian
Schinnels, the great Blue Louse from India, the British Blue Bloods, 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 could 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 Cootie 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 their 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 Cooties Organization carries on in the same degree of usefulness.
The Military Order of the Cooties work for their parent organization,
"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 exist in the Cooties is
beyond comparison in other organizations, for in the Cooties, Fun is King
and willingness to help in any cause for the betterment of humanity is our goal.
That is why the Cootie slogans are, "Busier than a Bee", and "Closer
than a Brother"!
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