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U.S. ARMY STRYKER BRIGADE (5TH BRIGADE, 2ND INFANTRY) -  The 5th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Div. sidestepped tradition when it left for Afghanistan by symbolically not casing its colors for movement - anticipating its redesignation upon return.   But that was only the beginning of a number of events that forced brigade leaders into agile, flexible planning sequences for a changing environment.

IRON CROSS -  The Iron Cross is a famous German military medal dating back to the 19th century.   During the 1930s, the Nazi regime in Germany superimposed a swastika on the traditional medal, turning it into a Nazi symbol.   After World War II, the medal was discontinued but neo-Nazis and other white supremacists subsequently adopted it as a hate symbol and it has been a commonly-used hate symbol ever since.

DAMES OF MALTA -  This secret fraternal Order, also known as Ladies of the Knights Hospitallers of St. John of Jerusalem was originally named Ladies of Malta.  In 1902 it was consolidated with the DAUGHTERS OF MALTA, and assumed the names 'Dames of Malta.' T hese Dames are an auxiliary of the Ancient and Illustrious Order Knights of Malta....

Their governing body is known as 'Zenodacia,' and branches are called 'Sisterhood' and are under the jurisdiction of the Supreme Grand Commandery of the A&IOKM.

BROTHERHOOD OF AMERICAN YEOMAN (B.A.Y.) -  A fraternal insurance society founded in 1897.   Membership was open to both men and women. Membership stood at 26,203 in 1908 and 43,212 in 1917.   In 1923 it had 208,782 benefit members and 7,607 social members 3,191 lodges or "Homesteads".  The Juvenile Department had 5,607 members.  The B.A.Y was spread across the United States and into parts of Canada.  The supreme office was known as the "Castle".

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (AA) - Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) was founded in 1935 by Bill Wilson (known as Bill W.) and Dr. Robert Smith (known as Dr. Bob).  In post-Prohibition 1930s America, it was common to perceive alcoholism as a moral failing, and the medical profession standards of the time treated it as a condition that was likely incurable and lethal.   Those without financial resources found help through state hospitals, the Salvation Army, or other charitable and religious groups.

ANCIENT ORDER OF THE PYRAMIDS (MYSTERIES OF ISIS) - The mysteries of Isis were religious initiation rites performed in the cult of the goddess Isis in the Greco-Roman world.   They were modeled on other mystery rites, particularly the Eleusinian Mysteries in honor of the Greek goddess Demeter, and originated sometime between the third century BCE and the second century CE.   Despite their mainly Hellenistic origins, the mysteries did allude to beliefs from ancient Egyptian religion, in which the worship of Isis arose.