Images(5)

Hat, Fraternal

Object number2019.131.1

MediumFelt; Leather; Cotton; Metal

Credit LineGift of Roberta Riethmiller Egelston

DescriptionRed, felt fraternal hat. Hat is a rectangular shape with two green tassels at the top left and right corners. Yellow, felt text sewn on the front with a thin, yellow strip of fabric sewn around the lower portion of the hat. Inside of hat has piece of brown leather around the bottom; hand written numbers in marker on inside.DimensionsHeight x Width x Depth (flat): 5.938 x 13.125 x 0.563 in. (15.1 x 33.3 x 1.4 cm)
InscriptionsYellow, felt text sewn on front of hat: "22 / Pennsylvania".
MarksHandwritten, black text on inside of hat: "7 1/2".
Historical NotesA “22 Pennsylvania” Order of the Cooties Seam 22 garrison cap worn by Robert Riethmiller. Robert Riethmiller of O’Hara Township was a veteran of WWII who served in the South Pacific with the 111th Infantry. Riethmiller was a life member and former commander of Guyasuta Post 709 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Sharpsburg, Pennsylvania, starting around 1969. He spent decades of his life volunteering for multiple Veterans’ organizations, hospitals, and nursing homes, where he visited veterans in care and oversaw outings and activities for long-term patients. Most notably, he helped lobby for the establishment of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Veterans' Care Center and the VA Aspinwall site which became the H.J. Heinz Progressive Care Center. Riethmiller was also part of the “Military Order of the Cootie,” (a VFW auxiliary for members involved with veterans hospitals) and was therefore known as “Cootie Bob.” By his death, it is estimated that he had contributed between 45,000-50,000 hours of service; he is chronicled in many newspaper articles, in which he is depicted wearing his VFW and Cootie hats. Riethmiller was married to Doris Bauer Riethmiller, who was herself a member of the Auxiliary of Guyasuta Post 709 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. They had two children, William and Roberta (Bobby).

Previous owner Robert Riethmiller (1915 - 2013)

Related person Roberta J. Egelston

Related institution 111th Infantry

Previous owner Veterans of Foreign Wars

Related institution Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 709

Related institution Military Order of the Cootie

Related person Doris Bauer Riethmiller

Related person William Riethmiller (died 2014)

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