The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks

Crisfield

Crisfield Events

Saturday, 5/29/2010: Breakfast prepared by the VFW, "Trophy Rock" fishing trip on the Chesapeake Bay followed by a Rockfish dinner at the American Legion, and an evening cruise on the Tangier Sound

Sunday, 5/30/2010: Breakfast prepared by the Crisfield Pride Elks Lodge followed by Soft Shell Crab Festival. Then ride on a pontoon boat around Crisfield with a stop at the American Legion for refreshments.

Monday, 5/31/2010: Breakfast at a local restaurant and then leave for home.

From Bonnie Burke, Exalted Ruler, Crisfield MD Lodge no 1044:

“Our weekend included a dance with the Jones Boys, fishing on a charter boat on the Tangier Sound, the annual Elks Memorial Day Picnic with a parachute jump honoring them, a fish fry at the American Legion, breakfast on Sunday at the Elks served by VFW members, presentation of the Keys to the City by our mayor at the Soft Shell Crab Festival, and finally a wrap-up goodbye at the Tiki Bar in town. What a terrific weekend. They stayed in waterfront condos donated by various condo owners. Everything we did was in partnership with the American Legion, VFW, Lioness & Lions Clubs, Chamber of Commerce, and the city of Crisfield”.

"For the first time in a long time, these tears are not from pain, they are from joy". One of our Wounded Warriors stated this as she said goodbye to me Sunday night. Our first Wounded Warrior Weekend was May 27-30 in Crisfield, MD. Crisfield Elks #1044 hosted 3 brave warriors and their spouse or significant other. These 3 came from different parts of the country, Virginia, Michigan, and New Jersey and became friends with us and each other. One broke her back while carrying a fellow soldier in combat, the next severed her spine in a combat drill, the third broke various bones in an accident while still on active duty.

"I've been in such pain for over 2 years, and this is the first time I've felt like this. No one was here to make me feel better, you all were here making me feel happy." Becky was so full of gratitude as she left. She said her weekend was the highlight of her last two years. Bethany said she will never forget the fact that we gave them this weekend without expecting anything in return. She said she had never stayed or been anywhere in the world like Crisfield. Matt said that in all of his travels, and he has traveled for the last few years with Wounded Warrior and other organizations, he never found such a warm, friendly welcome. He was not prepared for this.

Crisfield Elks will never forget these 3 Wounded Warriors. We will never forget any Veterans”.

Bonnie Burke,Exalted Ruler
Crisfield MD Lodge No. 1044
410-957-1690
burke3109@dishmail.net

Comments from the Wounded Warriors

The event in Crisfield was amazing, as I had written before. The people there were awesome and the most gracious and accommodating group I have ever seen! The Elks at lodge #1044 were the warmest and most friendly folks I have ever met. They really went above and beyond to make us feel at home and to honor us.

The condo was BEAUTIFUL, had private parking, a pool, and overlooked the water. Although many events and opportunities were available to us, it was always made clear that they were optional and that we could choose to participate in as little or as much as we would like (I participated in all of them).

It was more than I could have ever thought and there is just not enough good things to say about the entire weekend. Phil Riggins and Bonnie Burke were amazing as well as the rest of the Elks, American Legion, VFW, and the rest of the entire town…..I so appreciated the opportunity to go to this and meet all the people there. They are all wonderful and I will probably forever be in touch with many of them. If there is ever an opportunity to collaborate with them again, I would encourage you and WWP to do so because it really was amazing.

Thank you,

-Becky

From Wounded Warrior Matthew:

“The way the things were setup was great, things were extremely organized, and the people were great. The people of the city gave us the key to the city that was presented to us by the mayor. They gave me the warmest welcome that I have ever had anywhere. They were so welcoming, so friendly, and so honored to have us making it a fantastic event. I would suggest that if they have events like this in the future the WWP should be excited to have a part in it. The WWP she be honored to have them be a part of the WWP family.”

-Matthew