In every community there are flags proudly flown in front of libraries, city halls, churches and fire departments.  They are seldom even
acknowledged by the general public. 

It seems that our country's symbol is taken for granted by many people today.  However, there is one company who not only donates these flags to other non-profit organizations, but also works on a daily basis to promote patriotism in our communities across the
country.  That company is Woodmen of the World. 

Woodmen was founded in 1890 with a simple dual mission:  to protect America's families from financial hardship, and to provide opportunities to help others in the community.  This commitment still remains constant as they continue to be one of the nation's leading fraternal benefit societies: a community-based, member owned organization. In addition to striving to meet their members'
ever changing needs through a diverse offering of products and services, Woodmen leads the nation in patriotic events marking Flag Day and September 11th, annually. 

Last year, over 6000 flags were presented in Tennessee alone.  Field representatives also distribute Patriotic handbooks to the
schools in their communities, and teach flag etiquette classes to students there.  In these classes, the students learn how to properly fold a flag, along with appropriate retirement procedures, and general rules for displaying the flag properly.  For many of these children, this was information they had never been exposed to.

In communities across the nation, there are over 2,000 Woodmen Lodges where monthly meetings are held.  This is where many community outreach and service projects are planned. 

The members who attend will also elect delegates to participate at a state and national level, where ultimately,
Woodmen's board of directors are elected. 

Woodmen members truly partake in how the company is operated.   This is their insurance company.  Some of the community projects that the Cookeville lodges recently contributed to were: 

project graduations in Putnam County; a walking path at a local middle school, potted flowers to a nursing home, and annual donations to Cystic Fibrosis Foundations, and Habitat for Humanity.    Woodmen members are committed to making a difference in the communities in which they live, and also recognizing others who have done the same through a Community Awards Banquet.

In 2009 a dinner was held where awards were given to Putnam County residents who made outstanding efforts in conservation, students who excelled in American History, Putnam County bus drivers with more than 10 years of safe driving, and residents who had saved another's life through CPR.  A Good Neighbor Citation was also given to one citizen who made
significant contributions to the Cookeville area.

During the 2009 Fall Fun Fest, Woodmen of the World sponsored WCTE Stations of Imagination, and field representatives donated their time to conduct free child fingerprinting to help ensure the safety of children in the area.  Over 300 children were fingerprinted at this one event, and Woodmen representatives will be participating at other community events to continue this effort. 

Other ways in which Woodmen has enriched the lives of the youth in Putnam County is through our Summer Camp program, and monthly youth lodge activities.  The youth camp, for ages 8-15, as well as the Senior Camp for member’s age 55 and older, is held at the Clyde-York 4-H center.  Fraternal coordinator, Rochelle Cordova, of East TN area, heads up these programs.  Rochelle also travels the area with several large trunks in tow, to bring the companies Star Lab into schools. 

This is an inflatable planetarium, which educates children about the solar system, weather patterns, and constellations.  Rochelle emphasizes to the children that earth is the only viable planet in the solar system, and for that reason, it must be preserved by all our efforts. 

All of these things are part of the fraternal benefits offered by Woodmen to each of its members.  Other Fraternal benefits include the orphan's care (which provides creates a fund that lasts through college, for orphaned children of members) a natural
disaster benefit members whose home has been hit by a wildfire, tornado or flood and the Newborn Benefit which guarantees life insurance at 48 hours old to any child born to a Woodmen Family.

Woodmen has remained a constant presence in communities across the country, during the Great Depression, times of war, and unstable economic times.

For many generations before this one, and for many generations to come, they are dedicated to quietly serving their members as well as the communities around them. 

Woodmen is committed to being there for their members through all stages of their lives, with a diverse offering of
products and services designed with their members in mind.  Woodmen truly exists to serve this purpose. 

In these uncertain economic times, their members can rest assured that their investments are secure with Woodmen.
Their conservative investment policy has guided them securely through the last 119 years, and it will continue to do so.  Over 750,000 members nation wide enjoy the many benefits of being a part of such an upstanding company dedicated to patriotism, community involvement, and financial security.