National Veterans Service Commission
Welcome!
Welcome to the Elks National Veterans Service Commission's Online Resource Center. Several of our Grand Exalted Rulers have stated that in their travels, they found those associated with the National Veterans Service program to be the most dedicated of the dedicated. Furthermore, many Chiefs of Voluntary Service at VA Medical Centers have told us, “Whenever we want something, we can count on the Elks.”
In each of the 172 VA Medical Centers there is an Elk committee at work. Literally, thousands of Elks and their families give generously of their time, energy and resources so that the lives of our ill and aging veterans will be enhanced. Hundreds of thousands of hours and like numbers of dollars are devoted to programs that are designed to keep us true to our pledge: ”So long as there are veterans, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks will never forget them.“ And now we've broadened our program to include outpatients and veterans who are homeless.
The purpose of this online resource center is not only to inform the public and our own members of our good works, but also to help our Veterans Service chairmen and committee members live up to our pledge. We've tried to answer the questions most often asked and to spell out the responsibilities of chairmen on all levels. We've also included suggestions to strengthen your program.
Our goal is to make the Elks the most visible force in voluntary service to our veterans. Hopefully this resource center will be useful in that quest.
News from the Front
- GL Newsletter, August, 2010 Veterans Message: 'Adopt-A-Veteran' offers a way to say thank you
- Anyone who has been hospitalized for a length of time will understand the loneliness and depression experienced by veterans who either live in a facility or are confined to their homes. Visits from family and friends may be infrequent or non-existent. Elks Veterans Volunteers make special efforts to visit, call, send cards, and bring them to special events. This personal contact we call adopting, for these are the actions of a family reaching out to loved ones.
- GL Newsletter, July 2010 Veterans Message: Making a difference every day for our troops and families
- For the past 93 years, since 1917 during World War I, the Elks have stepped forward during every conflict or war our Nation has been engaged in, and led the way in providing support, relief and assistance for our troops, our “Defenders of Freedom”. Currently and for the past seven years, our “Army of Hope” has provided that support and a wide variety of assistance for our troops and their families across many of the states and communities our Lodges serve.
- GL Newsletter, June 2010 Veterans Message: Playing cards for vets
- Playing Cards for Veterans is a program that goes hand in hand with our Adopt-A-Veteran Program. This activity will give a hospitalized veteran something to do rather than just passively sitting and watching television. These cards can also be distributed with your comfort care kits. They also can be a part of any activity for our veterans or active service men and women.
- GL Newsletter, May 2010 Veterans Message: Vets need comfort care kits
- As our Veterans from previous wars and conflicts get older, they continue to need our help, as do those Veterans returning daily from Iraq and Afghanistan. We, as Elks, must never forget our long-standing pledge, "So long as there are Veterans, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks will never forget them."
- Homer, AK Lodge 2127 treats heroes to day of snowmobiling
- As in the past, Homer Elks Lodge 2127 expressed appreciation to wounded Alaska troops with a weekend get-away. A joint effort between the Elks, individuals and local organizations treated seven individuals from Fort Wainwright to the Homer Elks Patriot Ride, a day of snowmachining for national heroes.
