Photo by Skip Lawrence Girl Scouts and Brownies from troops 81738, 81226 and 81603 presented the United States flag and led the Pledge of Allegiance Saturday at the start of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Mid-Atlantic Conference in Frederick.

The Frederick Eagles, the meeting's hosts, brought about 150 people to the city during the organization's Friday to Sunday event.

The Mid-Atlantic Eagles includes Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware and Maryland.

Founded in 1898, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, an international nonprofit organization, donates more than $100 million annually to charities and individuals and is raising $25 million for The Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center.

"The conference turned out great," Eagles Mid-Atlantic Regional President James Jenkins said Sunday as the meeting ended. "We came together and worked as a team. It was informative and the Frederick Aerie 1067 did a phenomenal job hosting us."

The Eagles awarded a $5,000 grant to the Debra Foundation during the conference and raised $1,300 in two days for the Diabetes Research Center, Jenkins said.

There's a push to encourage firefighters, law enforcement and military personnel to join the Eagles said Sherry Mayer, Eagles' Mid-Atlantic Regional Women's Auxiliary president.

"We invite them to join with free membership for a year because they do so much for us," Mayer said. "If our members are killed in the line of duty, the Eagles Memorial Foundation takes care of their children's college and medical expenses to make sure they become as successful as their parents were."

The Frederick Eagles supports the local community and follows the International Eagles' motto of "People Helping People" by donating about $5,000 to local and national charities.

Those include Little League, Hospice of Frederick County and Frederick Memorial Hospital, said Robbie Wilson, Past Worthy President of Frederick Eagles and Maryland State Aerie chaplain.