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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (July 4, 2018)
8 Wednesday, July 4, 2018 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon Historical Society gets ‘cooties’ Michael Pennington of Sisters has donated memo- rabilia belonging to the late Mel Basin of Sisters to the Three Sisters Historical Society to be part of their veterans collection. Lance Trowbridge of the local VFW made the presentation. Basin was a member of the Military Order of the Cootie (MOC), a nonprofit veterans service organiza- tion. Members are offi- cers and leadership of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and membership is recognition of outstanding service to the VFW and its programs. One of the principle objectives of the MOC is for its members to have and pro- vide fun for themselves and others. The official uniform of MOC reflects that fun-lov- ing attitude: red pants with a white stripe running down each side; ruffled white shirt; lace-trimmed red vest embla- zoned on the back with a gold-outlined, bug-like crea- ture with flashing light bulb eyes; and red, overseas-style cap worn sideways so that the tassels dangle beside the wearer’s ears. Cooties was what soldiers called the body lice that infested them during World War I. Melvin Basin was born in 1911 in Snohomish County, Washington, the fourth of seven children born to Nettie and Harry Basin from Pennsylvania. He was stationed at the Naval Air Station in Seattle in 1942 as an aviation carpenter’s mate 2nd class petty officer. He fought in three cam- paigns in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Basin bought property in Sisters in August 1951, although he may have been here earlier, as his wife Flora was at Suttle Lake in August 1942 while he was in Seattle, according to the Bend Bulletin. In the mid-1950s, Basin bowled in several bowling leagues, maintaining high scores. Among his memo- rabilia are a number of pins reflecting his bowling hobby. Basin’s hat indicates he was the Seam Squirrel (commander) of the local Pup Tent (MOC unit). The ers, t s i S , you Thank rting us! po p u s r o f hat is covered with a vari- ety of Cootie pins, indi- cating his attendance at a number of annual Scratches (conventions). Flora was listed in the City Directory at 69946 Camp Polk Road in Sisters as late as 1990. There are no death or marriage records yet discovered for either of the Basins. The Basins had no children. Over almost one hundred years, the Cooties have pro- vided social and entertain- ment programs while add- ing to the frivolity known as Military Humor to the seri- ous work of the VFW. The National Home for Children in Michigan started out as the brainchild of the MOC. They care for the widows and children of the armed forces. Millions of dollars have been raised and donated to help the children, starting with the library, swimming pool, a fire department, and a number of other projects designed to make life fun and educational for the children during their stay at the National Home. Each year the Cooties Custom Design & Repairs COACHES WANTED! FOOTBALL VOLLEYBALL K-6 Grade 3-5 Grade Contact Chad Rush at SPRD if interested Contact SPRD for information or to register: SistersRecreation.com • 541-549-2091 1750 W. McKinney Butte Rd. Sisters Industrial Park 157 Sisters Park Dr. • 541-549-3575 www.SistersStorage.com Chamber Member Baby & Pet Safe • Red Stain Removal • Chemical-free Cleaning F F O 5 2 F O R $ 458-292-6842 Licensed • Bonded • Insured • CCB#87587 MINI STORAGE Send an email to editor@nuggetnews.com Call or text Sisters Owned & Operated YOUTH VOLUNTEER SNO CAP Have a story idea? >>>> TWICE A YEAR MAINTENANCE PLANS <<<< < 260 N. Pine, Sisters PreK-6 Grade the Cooties apart and draws attention to the plight of those they are serving. Their website notes: “We sacrifice a little of ourselves to bring a smile or a laugh during what is normally a difficult time for our heroes.” Cutting-edge technology to get your carpet its cleanest! 549-9388 541-549-4349 SOCCER volunteer thousands of hours, worth over $10 million, to veterans hospitals and homes throughout the U. S., visiting military personnel and retired veterans. Their distinctive red hat and unusual uniform sets 30 Years Experience Aquamarine & Diamond Have a safe & happy 4 th of July PHOTO BY JIM CORNELIUS Lance Trowbridge presented donated ‘Cooties’ memorabilia to Sue Stafford, representing the Three Sisters Historical Society. • State-of-the-art Security Technology • Sizes from 5x5 to 12x40 • Individual Gate Codes • Long-term Discounts • On-site Manager f $85 m o D Minimu A S I O N T H I FREE F REE ESTIMATES T N E M WHERE’S WALDO? He’s closer than you think! nk! He’s hiding all over er Sisters during July! y! • Pick up your passport to fun at Find Waldo Headquarters ters (Paulina Springs Books) • Get started searching • Gather stamps as you fi nd Waldo Call 541-549-0866 for more information Paulina Springs Books 252 W. Hood Ave. | paulinasprings.com
