Historical Society gets 'cooties'

Michael Pennington of Sisters has donated memorabilia 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 organization. Members are officers 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 provide fun for themselves and others. The official uniform of MOC reflects that fun-loving attitude: red pants with a white stripe running down each side; ruffled white shirt; lace-trimmed red vest emblazoned on the back with a gold-outlined, bug-like creature 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 campaigns 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 memorabilia 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 hat is covered with a variety of Cootie pins, indicating 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 provided social and entertainment programs while adding to the frivolity known as Military Humor to the serious 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 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 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."