Mission Viejo / Saddleback Valley Elks Lodge 2444 conducted their annual tribute to members for years of service at a recent meeting. This year’s event, which was well attended by Elks members and guests, recognized years of tenure from one to Seventy .
Exalted Ruler (“ER”) Greg Morgan presided over the meeting. Lodge Secretary Norm Jones (PDDGER) acted as master of ceremonies and awarded 265 service pins. Secretary Jones said of the event, “Pins are awarded for five-year increments of service. We affectionately call it ‘Old Timers Night’ and it is always a fun-filled get-together for the recipients and attendees. There is always lots of storytelling from the older members about the early history of our Lodge.”
Over 248 members were awarded five through thirty-year pins. Special recognition and appreciation was shown to members with 35 years and over as they were introduced. A 35-year service pin was awarded to Glenn Blanton Past Exalted Ruler, Harold Allen, Joseph Finneran, and Ronald Wiser.
Members dedicated to the Lodge for 40 years are Doc Irwin Arluk and Andy Costello. 45 year pins were awarded to Timothy Carney, John Sherburne, Ted Bascue, Tom Sargent, and George Wegner. Celebrating 50 years of membership and present to receive recognition was John Fischle. Not in attendance but awarded 55-year pins were Frank De Prizio, Hal Friedlander, and Stephen Janosik. Also unable to attend to receive a 70-year pin was Donald Godden.
A special presentation of Officer’s Jewels was made to Treasurer Emeritus Bill Bongartz for his years of dedicated service as Lodge Treasurer.
ER Morgan said of the event, “Our Lodge prides itself on the increasing numbers of younger men and women who are becoming members. We love to see those young families here enjoying themselves at a Friday night dinner as they are certainly the future of the Elks.” Morgan added, “Nevertheless, I think it is great when we honor our old-timers. They are the people who built and made our Lodge and the Elks the charity organization it is today.”
The Mission Viejo / Saddleback Elks Lodge No. 2444, celebrating fifty-one (51) years of service to the Saddleback Valley communities is one of eight Lodges in the Orange Coast District of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (BPOE) whose headquarters is in Chicago, Illinois. The BPOE is a charitable organization with a 152-year history of giving, “Elks Care, Elks Share.” Photos by Rick Moscoso.
35-year member Ronald Wiser and ER Greg Morgan
40-year members Andy Costello and Doc Irwin Arlik with ER
45-year member Ted Basque with ER
50-year member John Fischle with ER
Treasurer Emeritus Bill Bongartz receives Jewels from ER Morgan
Submitted By: Sandy Gruzdis
PR Team Member
