We have donated monies to the 5K Nutterrun in Sea Girt, NJ to help the Gwin family of the 5/117 Cavalry Family Readiness Group. Thanks to Steve Wechter who traveled 109 miles, one way, to deliver the check for the Elks. We also donated money to Jeremy Trakimowicz, a Marine wounded in Iraq, through the Red Bank Elks Lodge. These causes are ongoing this year. If you would like to donate personally please contact the Veterans committee and we will get the info to you. The Elks along with the VFW and other groups placed 3780 American Flags on the gravesites at the Cape May County Veterans Memorial Cemetery on Wednesday, May 28. This is a tradition started in 1868 by General Logan when he saw women and children placing flowers and other decorations on Civil War gravesites. Thus, the name Decoration Day was started. In later years the day evolved into Memorial Day. If you would like to learn more about our days of remembrance try the internet Flagkeepers.com or Memorial Day.com. This Memorial Day we attended the 10 am ceremony at North Wildwoods Veterans Memorial on Spruce Avenue. It was noted to be the biggest attendance in all the years of these events. The 2pm service at the Cape May County Memorial Cemetery had a good showing of Elks but, it should have been better considering the times we live in. Lou Bishop presented the Elks wreath which was received by our Coast Guard from the Cape May station. Mike Brady took some pictures that we will post in the Lodge. Our next patriotic event will be the Flag Day ceremony to be presented by Tim Bishop and held at the Lodge on Sunday, June 11 at 12 noon. The Sunday date was selected to allow everyone to participate in this educational ceremony. Remember, the Elks started Flag Day. Thank you and stay involved our veterans old and young are counting on us.