The Mission Viejo/Saddleback Valley Elks Lodge this month held its annual Memorial Service for members who have passed away during the past year. The service, which in 2020 honored twenty-two (22) members, included the presentation of colors by Boy Scout Troop #639, Inner Guard Russell Sindt lighting a candle for each of the twenty-two deceased members as his or her name was read. Exalted Ruler Greg Morgan and his Corps of Lodge Officers performed the Elks solemn memorial ritual.
Chloe Robbins sings “Amazing Grace”
The service was well attended by family members and friends of the deceased members. The twenty-two (22) members memorialized in this years’ service were: Orville Benson, Dennis Boelts, Kaaron Carver, George Claude, Richard Elliott, Jack Fifer PER, Jose Garcia, Bruice Giras, Jim Glover, Harcel Hobbs, Jonathan Jarema, Marion Migliore, Alex Norvidas, Vera Pavelec, Jim Price, Mark Ryan, Richard Williams PER, John Schickley, Gerry Schiphorst, Evonne Trammel, Jack West, and Dorothy White.
The Knights of the Lodge placed tokens of remembrance on the altar: Leading Knight rick Moscoso presented the “Forget Me Not” symbolizing “Charity,” Loyal Knight Tenisha Campanile presented the “Amaranth” symbolizing “Immortality,” and Lecturing Knight Jerry Flores presented “Clinging Ivy” symbolizing “Brotherly Love.” Exalted Ruler Greg Morgan went on to say, “The station of Fidelity embraces all. It inculcates a devotion tender as the Forget-Me-Not, everlasting as the Amaranth, and constant as the Ivy.” He then recited the time-honored Elks Eleven O’clock Toast which contains the passage, “Living or dead an Elk is never forgotten. Morning and noon may pass them by, the light of day sinks heedlessly in the West, but ere the shadows of midnight shall fall, the chimes of memory will be pealing forth the friendly message, ‘to our absent members.’” Soloist Chloe Robbins sang “Amazing Grace” and Roy Southerland performed “I Can Only Imagine.”
The solemn ceremony concluded and Chaplain Richard Holmes gave the benediction. Members and guests enjoyed light refreshments and exchanged memories of the cherished members whose lives were honored in the Elks reverent memorial service. Photos by Rick Moscoso
By Andy Costello
Photo Credit: The Mission Viejo/Saddleback Valley Elks Lodge
Sandy Gruzdis
PR Elks
