Anyone who frequents cemeteries has probably seen at least one of these unique tombstones. And those same cemetery 'haunters' have probably wondered what the term 'Woodmen of the World' (which can be seen on the stones) meant. Was it some sort of organization like the Masons? Was it the maker of the gravestone?
Woodmen of the World is a fraternal benefit society that operates a large privately held insurance company for its members.
The organization was founded in 1890 by Joseph Cullen Root.
After hearing a sermon about "pioneer woodsmen clearing away the forest to provide for their families", Root wanted to start a society that "would clear away problems of financial security for its members".
Today, Woodmen of the World provides financial solutions (life insurance, annuities, mutual funds, college savings plans) to approximately 800,000 members in the U.S.
Woodmen of the World Members are also eligible to receive a wide array of fraternal benefits - disaster relief, prescription drug discount card, camping experiences for youth, monetary support for members' orphaned children.
Woodmen of the World is one of the leading presenters of U.S. flags to schools and non-profit groups. There are approximately 2,000 Woodmen of the World lodges across the Nation. Lodges conduct volunteer, patriotic and charitable activities that benefit individuals and communities. Woodmen of the World lodges have presented more than 1.4 million U.S. flags over the past 60 years.
Check back on Thursday, when I'll post Part 2 and write about these very unique headstones.
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2 comments:
I have never seen one of these headstones in Canada nor heard of the organization except here in your blog. So I guess despite the name Woodmen of the WORLD, the organization is really Woodmen of the USA. But still, a very worthy charitable purpose.
I have seen several of these headstones, and I agree they are unique and some quite beautiful. I enjoyed the added history as well.
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