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Area Elks Host BBQ at Yountville Veterans Home |
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Sacramento 6 volunteers at the Yountville BBQ.
Back Row: Billey Skarles, Ron Roberts, Valarie Asher, Ben Whichard, Tom Rotharmel, Paul Frye
Middle Row: Delina Skarles, Jerry Landreth, Ron Brusato, Diana Mandella, Richard Cherry
Front Row: Wayne Bellows |
Eighty-three volunteers from eleven different Elks Lodges in California’s North Central area gathered at the Yountville Veterans Home/Hospital on August 8th 2009 to feed about 300 Veterans who are residents or patients at the Home, as well as and another 100 guests and Yountville staff members in attendance. This year’s annual event provided Pull Pork Sandwiches, Sausages, Hamburgers, and all the trimmings. Included in the feast were several patients from the Pathway Home Project. These are Veterans from combat in Iraq and Afghanistan who have lost a limb or are suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome.
Through the Elks’ “Catch The Spirit” (CTS) Project, several patients are taking advantage of the Sacramento “Paws For Vets” program which provides training and “Service Dogs” to the Veterans free of charge. The CTS project also provided sixty jackets, two pallets of drinks, and 1 pallet of pastries to the Veterans, among many other items. The Elks Lodges participating in the event were: Carmichael, Elk Grove, Folsom, Jackson, Marysville, Placerville, Rancho Cordova, Roseville, Sacramento, West Sacramento, and Woodland. Also assisting in the effort were four soldiers from the 319 Signal Battalion of the California National Guard who drove two 5 ton Trucks to bring in the provisions for the BBQ.
The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks have long supported Veterans of the United States. They were responsible for the very first hospitals to support Veterans from World War I, and have adopted the philosophy that: “So long as there are veterans, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks will never forget them.” If anyone would like to make a difference and become a participant in the many Elks charitable programs, please contact the Elks Lodge nearest you.
Article by Al Russell, Col, USAF (Ret.)
North Centeral District Veteran Services Committee Chairman |
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Blue Star & Gold Star Memorial Garden: |
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The officers are standing in the new memorial garden with a yellow ribbon on the arch and newly planted roses with the Blue Star and Gold Stars flying in the background. Holding the flag on the left are Secretary Tom Rotharmel and ER Steve Clazie. The officers are from left Peggy Mello, Trustee; Richard Gilmore, Organist; John Endres, Assistant Esquire; Darnell Lawrence, Esquire; Barbara Cherry, 2009 Chaplain; Richard Cherry, Leading Knight; Lona Taggart, Lecturing Knight; Tony Muljat, Treasurer; DeAnna Marwin, 2008 Chaplain; Ron Brusato, Loyal Knight; Joe Ignoffo, Trustee; Arlene Bennett, Trustee; Doug Kelly, Trustee; and Roy Shannon, Trustee. |
The Sacramento Elks Lodge No. 6 officially dedicated their new Elks 6 flag in a special Flag pole and Blue Star and Gold Star Memorial Garden ceremony on Sunday, March 1, 2009, with Louis J. Grillo, Past Grand Exalted Ruler, as guest speaker. He told the Sacramento Elks “...Your Lodge can truly be proud of its Memorial Garden and new Elks No. 6 Flag. It is a constant reminder of the dedication that the Elks of Sacramento No. 6 Lodge have to our order and to the men and women that serve in the Armed Forces.”
Sacramento is flying the Blue Star and Gold Star Flags because of its commitment to Veterans and respect for mothers. The Blue Star Flag honors mothers whose children are serving in our armed forces, and the Gold Star represents those mothers whose children were killed in action. This area was recently planted with four different types of roses. The three Mother’s Roses are a coral and pink blend and pay tribute to all mothers. There are also three light yellow Welcome Home Roses, three lavender-pink Memorial Day Roses, and three dark red Veterans’ Honor Roses in the new garden. They pay tribute to mothers and their children who have served in the United States armed forces. Without their sacrifices, we would not enjoy all of our cherished freedoms. |
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From: Al Russell, P.E.R. N.C.D. Veterans Service Committee Chairman
The Network of Care for Veterans & Service Members is here to link critical support services to veterans seeking jobs, housing, counseling and help within their immediate communities. The Network of Care helps individuals and family members to find the names and phone numbers of advocates who are in their county and can offer immediate support. The site allows users to search a database containing county-specific information on mental health programs, job training, and other issues. In addition, veterans can use the site to create personal health records, search a jobs database, check symptoms, participate in social networking and access a library of resources.
Visit the site at: http://networkofcare.org/veterans.cfm
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Freedom Quilt Project: |
The Quilt Club ladies at our lodge crafted the Freedom Quilt. It was unveiled at a gala patriotic fund raising event to support our troops' families. A 'kick off' signing was held at the lodge where members who are veterans signed their names on the quilt. On May 20, 2007, it was displayed and signed at California's State Capitol during a program honoring veterans. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the quilt joined the Rebels With A Cause Motorcycle Club traveling across our great Nation to Arlington National Cemetery for Memorial Day services. They were joined by more than 500,000 bikers, many of whom were members of the Marine Corp Veterans Motorcycle Club. En route, stops were made at Harley-Davidson and GM, Pontiac/Buick dealerships where all employees who were veterans were able to sign the quilt. Six other signings were held at six ELKS Lodges during overnight stops. During the trip, the Freedom Quilt was in the custody of a former Marine and Nam veteran, Ken 'Gunny' Nelson.
In August 2007, the quilt took a 3rd place award at the California State Fair. Recently, members of the WW II Submariner's (diesel boats) and Submariners, Inc. (SSN boats) were also able to sign. All veterans and active service personnel are encouraged to sign as it tours our northern California area. The front has 7 panels for Elks Lodge veterans to sign. The field depicts motorcycles traveling across the U.S. from Sacramento to Washington DC. A repetitive print of the Declaration of Independence is used in each panel and the entire reverse side is available for signature.
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The riders |
The creators |
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As long as there are Veterans, the Elks will never forget them.
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