Veterans Remembrance
For the Order of Elks, veterans remembrance is a daily
proposition. We never have and never will never forget the
sacrifices these heroes made so that we may be free. But it has
been a tradition for the Order to redouble its efforts on behalf
of veterans in November, not just for Veterans Day, but for the
entire month. For the Elks, November is Veterans Remembrance
Month.
The Elks National Veterans Service Commission asks all
Lodges to run a special event to commemorate Veterans Remembrance
Month and to raise funds for the Lodge's Veterans Service Commission.
The committee should clear a date with the Exalted Ruler well in
advance so it will have time to properly plan the evening. The
committee should enlist as much help as it can gather, put
together a program that the membership will enjoy, and promote it
to ensure a good attendance. And then it should use the proceeds
to make a lot of veterans smile. Many Lodges use the proceeds for
special events in the VA medical center during the Thanksgiving
and Christmas holidays. Some Lodges even invite those veterans
who are able to take part in special programs and functions.
When planning your Veterans Remembrance function, be sure
to keep the district chairman and VAVS representative apprised.
They can help direct your efforts where they are needed most.
Veterans Remembrance Report
The Veterans Remembrance Report is a vehicle designed to encourage
100 percent participation by all Lodges in "Serving Our Nations Veterans". This report is not intended
to foster competition among the Lodges, but it seeks to encourage
every Lodge, whether located in the shadow of a VA medical center
or miles away, to participate in some degree.
In October, these report forms are mailed with detailed
instructions to every Lodge. A few weeks later, additional copies
are mailed to all the District Deputies, who are asked to check
each Lodge to determine if they need another copy. The District
Deputy then follows through to see that he has the completed
forms in his hands no later than January 15th. They are then
forwarded to the state National Veterans Service chairman for
judging. After selecting the winners in the six membership
categories, the state chairman will then send them to the
chairman of the program.
Excellent cooperation should be expected from the District
Deputies. Their names will be placed on a special Honor Roll in The
Elks Magazine and a special certificate will be
presented to them if they achieve 100 percent participation. If
all the districts in a state achieve 100 percent, the state
chairman will receive special recognition from the National
Veterans Service Commissionand will also be listed on an honor roll.
A state chairman will find his task much easier if he keeps
his district chairmen informed about what he is trying to
accomplish. The state chairman should tell the district chairmen
what has been done in the past, what is going on today, and what
his plans are for the future. He should also make the district
chairmen realize they are a very important part of the team by
encouraging them to use their own ingenuity and offering
suggestions he, as state chairman, knows will work.
Program Chairman
Eugene W. Renckert, Chairman
3023 N. Creek Road
Palmyra, NY 14522-9321
