Cd'A man marks 75 years with local Eagles lodge

COEUR d’ALENE — It was the spring of 1942 when a strapping 18-year-old Raymond Johnson became another one for the F.O.E.

“They had just remodeled and they had put in a weight room down there and showers,” Johnson said Friday during a visit to The Press. “They were way ahead of their time."

The Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 486 in Coeur d'Alene offered its members free showers back then, a much-desired amenity for Johnson after 10-hour days building Farragut Naval Training Station. He said all you had to do was go to the bar at the then-men-only club and check out a towel.

“I was in high school and we were graduating in May, and Farragut started in April," he said. "Our principal said, ‘If you guys want to go to work out there, then you can come back and take your final test.’ That gave us another month. He said, ‘You’ll never get wages like that again.’ It was $1 an hour."

Johnson, 93, is celebrating 75 consecutive years of loyal membership as an Eagle. He has maintained his member status in Coeur d'Alene the entire time, although he visited other aeries (Eagles lodges) when he was drafted into the Army soon after he helped get Farragut up and running.

"They gave me a military card," he said. "I could go to any Eagles lodge in the United States, so I went to the one in Atlanta, Georgia."

Johnson recalls the Coeur d'Alene aerie's slot machines that helped pay for free dinners for members, the big New Year's celebrations and kicking up his square-dancing boots with his wife of 69 years, Vickie.

"We danced there for 65 years," he said. "We just quit a few years ago."

Johnson and his wife reside at a senior living facility in Coeur d'Alene, where his 101-year-old big brother lives right next door. They don't get out to the Eagles as much as they used to, but Johnson certainly enjoys the Thursday burger nights when he can.

"I was going every week for a while," he said with a smile.

He said his favorite part is the generosity of the benevolent organization.

“They donate to charities, and I think that’s the greatest,” he said.

Johnson was honored for his longevity during a ceremony at his home aerie last Tuesday. Worthy President Dustin Okon presented him with a plaque and a specially-made anniversary pin.

"I’ve got a 70-year pin,” Johnson said, still grinning. “When I said, ‘Well, I thought I’d get my 75-year pin,’ (Okon) looked in the drawer and they didn’t have one, and he said, ‘I’ll get one.’ They said they don’t make them anymore."

Okon said a photo of Johnson now hangs on the aerie wall, so he's "immortalized down at the lodge forever."

"We’re extremely honored to be able to recognize him for something like this; 75-year memberships like this don't happen often in the country at all," Okon said. "It's a privilege to have him represent Coeur d'Alene as a 75-year member. It means a lot to us."