Elks Veterans Remembrance Month Recognized in November
Submitted by Paul Kozakiewicz, Rahway Elks Lodge #1075
An estimated twenty million Veterans live in our communities. Each with a different story, they all shared a common pledge: to support and defend this country. In an effort to honor and support these Veterans, Elks National President, Robert L. Duitsman has proclaimed November to be Veterans Remembrance Month.
This November, as well as every month of the year, Elks served thousands of Veterans across the country. Elks volunteer at more than 340 VA Medical Centers, State Veterans Homes, clinics, transitional shelters and Veterans facilities where they plan activities, buy needed supplies, host meals and offer friendship. Elks help Veterans rehabilitate and thrive by supporting adaptive sports events and providing therapy kits and wheelchair gloves to recovering Veterans.
Most recently, Elks have pledged to help end Veteran homelessness by pledging millions of dollars to assist Veterans experiencing homelessness. Since we made this pledge just 5 years ago, we’ve helped thousands of Veterans exit or prevent homelessness. Our Elks Lodges are focal points for supporting local military members and Veterans and meeting their needs. Last year alone, the total value of Elks contributions to our nation’s Veterans was more than $50 million, and our members served hundreds of thousands of Veterans.
November was Veterans Remembrance Month, and in the wake of that the Elks urge you to join them in recognition of and service to the Veterans in your community. Let us remember the words of Elk member and President John F. Kennedy who said, “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them.”
There are nearly 1,900 Elks Lodges across the country with a total membership of around 800,000. Elks members must be American citizens who are at least 21 years of age and must believe in God. To learn more and to join us in service, visit elks.org.
