A vision is sometime very difficult to realize---especially a vision that demands industriousness, camaraderie,and perseverance. They felt the "wind beneth thier wings" years ago when a small group whose foresight was not always supported decided that it was time for Roswell,New Mexico, to come of age and the Fratrenal Order of Eagles,Arie #3187 was born.

In 1963, there were only three Fraternal Order of Eagles Aries in the state of New Mexico: Santa Fe, Clovis, And Albuquerque, and the Roswell Aerie becoming the fourth. In those early days, State Meetings were referred to as state councils and the state presidents had the title of state council presidents. In 1963, Charles B. Churchill was the organizer of Pecos Valley Aerie #3187. The Aerie held organizational gatherings at the old Nickson Hotel, located at 101 Fifth Street. The charter was signed and dated July 27, 1963, and this charter enlisted 63 members. Charles B. Churchill was the first Past Worthy President and James Berry was the first Worthy President. No activates were held at this location other than regular business meetings.

In 1964 James Day became Worthy President, but the Aerie still did not have a permanent home, meetings being held in a small building located in the 800 block of West Second Street the entrance located in the alley on the north side of the street. Being too small for social actives, the group still had as its goal a permanent meeting and social event site that would be adequate for hopefully growing membership. The next meeting place for the aerie was the old Yucca Night Club, located at 3908 Southeast Main Street. In 1967, Darwin Miller was elected Worthy President and Charles Darr became State Council President. These were very tough times for the Aerie. During 1971 – 1972, the membership dwindled to 39 members and officials from Santa Fe Aerie came to Roswell and contemplated pulling the charter because 50 members were needed to legally operate under the by-laws. This was when the “first miracle” of Aerie #3187 occurred. Some of the more stalwart members of the Aerie stepped forward and paid the dues of those who had not renewed their membership and the charter was maintained.

Things began to look up in 1972 when Linton Floyd and Howard Babcock were successful in obtaining a county liquor license for the Aerie. Several members took turns at being bartenders, and the wives kept the bar glasses washed and the bar clean. With this larger building, members became more active and efforts were made to increase the membership. During these early years, Bingo Night was the big activity and it was held twice weekly. Saturday night dances were scheduled once a month, and the Lodge Hall was opened on Sunday afternoons for Sunday socials where Aerie wives prepared potluck dinners. The jute box was always kept playing in those days and after lunch, the members and their wives would occasionally have a softball game in front of the building.

In 1974, the lease expired at the Yucca Night Club building and another meeting place had to be found. A fourth meeting area was found for the Aerie at 1900 East Poe at the old Cactus Gardens Dance Hall. The membership pitched in and scrubbed down some of the rooms, painted others, repaired plumbing, and made temporary “home” more livable. Many items were donated by members such as bar stools, an electric stove, a freezer, a refrigerator, tables, a ping- pong table, and a dart game.Wylies Lanes located on South Virginia was rented for Monday Night Bingo and for meetings.

Social activities and membership were on the rise and because of this a bulletin was needed. John Loebach gathered information for the early bulletins and Pearl Stoll, an Aerie wife, typed the bulletins onto stencils and they were run off on a mimeograph machine and subsequently mailed to members. At this time the Trustees were continually seeking another meeting place because this location had no heat.

At this time Chuck Gibson became Worthy President and during his tenure the Aerie had accumulated enough savings that the Building Committee now began in earnest for a search for a permanent lodge. Ernest Tucker was the chairman of the Building Committee during this crucial time and in 1975 3 ½ acres of land was purchased at 3201 South Sunset. Building plans and specifications were beginning to take shape and the membership continued to increase.

With the increase in membership were enough wives to now organize an Auxiliary and with the hard work of Mary Darr, a charter was issued to the Auxiliary on February 1, 1975 with 40 Charter members. Marge Krehbiel became the first Past Madam President and Mary Darr became the first Madam President of the Auxiliary. At the end of 1981, the Auxiliary membership had grown to 288.How ever, going back again, 1976would become a fortuitous year for Aerie #3187.

On January 30, 1976 a loan was obtained from Pioneer Savings and Loan in the sum of 50,000, with ten very brave souls signing the mortgage papers to guarantee repayment of this loan. Ground breaking began immediately and Worthy President Chuck Gibson and Charles Darr had a sign constructed at the site, indicating that this was to be the future home of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Aerie #3187. Another “miracle” had taken place.

The Miracle of Sunset Avenue was becoming a reality. After the exterior of the initial building was completed, members took over the interior finishing work. There were tasks for everyone and both Aerie and Aerie Auxiliary members rose to the occasion for this momentous task. Doc Whitaker was hired as the first Bar Manager, the membership continued to rise, and the Aerie hosted its first State Convention in June of 1976.

As they say, a lot of water has fallen over that proverbial dam during the last 40 Years. Aerie membership is currently approaching 500. Many good human beings have given of them selves over this time frame, folks who felt the” wind beneath their eagles’ wings” and soared to great heights. Today Aerie #3187 stands proud in the community of Roswell and the surrounding Pecos Valley, investing time and money into the lives of its people. Yes,” we have come a long way, baby ----- 45 years and still soaring!”