Annual "United Nations Pilgrimage for Youth" In June of 1950 the Security Council was called into action at Lake Success to meet the Korean Crisis.   What an exciting time for the "pilot" group of 46 young people who took part in the Odd Fellow's first "United Nations Pilgrimage for Youth". They, along with a contingent of adult counselors, were the first of what has turned into an annual excursion of young people to the UN each summer.   Every state in the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii, and every province of Canada, except one, has been represented and students have participated from Denmark, Cuba and Australia. "Alumni" by the thousands look back upon this experience as a crucial time when their ideals have fallen into place and give purposeful direction to their lives. The Odd Fellows and Rebekahs of America feel that this pilgrimage provides exposure to the activity of governments and the work of the United Nations.   It gives students a chance to see, hear, and question members of national delegations and specialists from various departments of the International Secretariat in briefings on a wide range of topics.   In other words, it provides what classroom work alone cannot begin to provide. Through the many years of this project, the UN Visitors' Service has arranged special briefings in the UN Conference rooms for Odd Fellow groups.   Here, students enjoy a lively question and answer period that sharpens their comprehension of UN Affairs.   On the buses enroute to New York, historical spots and tourist attractions are visited, three days are spent in the Nation's capital, and the young people also make lasting friendships along the way and in New York City. Young people competing for delegate selection must be sophomores or juniors in high school, active in school and community affairs, spiritual motivation, willingness to report on the tour, and general physical fitness.   The trip is paid for by members of the Order.

GATES TO PEACE GARDEN SYMBOLIZE WORLD UNITY Midway between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, at a site on the longest unfortified boundary in the world and only 35 miles from the geographic center of the North American continent, blooms the International Peace Garden. The Garden, dedicated in 1932, spreads across 888 acres in North Dakota and 1,451 acres in Manitoba Province. It commemorates the more than 150 years of harmony and cooperation between two neighbor nations, Canada and the United States. At the entrance to the Peace Gardens stand the majestic Gates given by the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Rebekahs, saluting the Garden's ideal and reminding the world that Odd Fellowship, too, is universal, committed to promoting peace among all men. The idea for the Entrance Gates was that of Stella Pollack, a Rebekah from North Dakota. Their construction, a $50,000 project, represents the largest single contribution to the Garden by a non-governmental organization. On July 26, 1964, the Gates were dedicated by the Sovereign Grand Master of the Order and officials of the Canadian and U.S. governments. Designed by Blankstein, Coop, Gillmor and Hanna of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, the Gates diagonally span the boundary. One fourteen-foot-high fieldstone pillar rises from Canadian soil, the other from U.S. soil; and four black laminated wood beams extend from each pillar, toward the metal rings in the center which join them exactly over the border. Every summer, the Peace Garden is the scene of the International Music Camp and School of Art and Dance. Camping facilities are also available; and thousands of people each year pass through the Gates which bear the inscription: THIS ENTRANCE BUILT AND DEDICATED TO THE CAUSE OF PEACE BY THE ODD FELLOWS AND REBEKAHS OF THE WORLD

PILGRIMAGE   TO  TOMB  OF  UNKNOWNS The first Sunday in May has been designated for the annual Odd Fellow Pilgrimage to the Tomb of the Unknowns.  Department of the Army, custodian of Arlington National Cemetery, has granted permission for this date. June 17, 1934 -- the first date for the Odd Fellow Pilgrimage! Purpose of this Pilgrimage was not only to honor the Unknown Soldier and the Nation's War Dead but also the members of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows who had made the supreme sacrifice in World War I. Credit for the Pilgrimage idea goes to Charles Lampe, who was Grand Master of District of Columbia. On July 7, 1940, the Grand Sire, on behalf of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows presented to the Unknown Soldier, the Grand Decoration of Chivalry, the highest decoration bestowed upon an Odd Fellow. The Jewel, received by the Department of Army, is displayed in the Hall of Trophies. In 1959, two more Grand Decorations of Chivalry Jewels were presented to the Army - one for the Unknown Soldier of World War II and the other for the Unknown Soldier of the Korean Conflict. Both Jewels are in the Hall of Trophies. Growth of this Pilgrimage has been tremendous. Odd Fellows and Rebekahs from all over our Nation, who are in Washington, D.C., at that time of each year, make a point to go to Arlington Cemetery and pay their tribute. All jurisdictions send floral wreaths to honor the dead. This Ceremony of Remembrance in memory of those who have given their lives to preserve the "American way of life" enshrines the principles of Odd Fellowship --Friendship, Love and Truth! No other organization has been granted this honor.