(From left) Bottom Row; “Snuffy” Brown, Syd Gordon, Bill McLellan, Sam Landers, David Ashdown, Jim Kemerer, Top Row: Wade Kemerer, Pat Martino (Exalted Ruler), Newt Seal, Leo Hazell (Event Chair), Jack Fifer. Thomas W. Spry (Not in photo).
(From left) Corey Redhead, Syd Gordon.
Mission Viejo / Saddleback Valley Elks Lodge No. 2444 (“Elks Lodge”), observing November as Veterans Remembrance Month, emphasized its World War II (“WWII”) veterans whose ranks are thinning.
Exalted Ruler Pat Martino welcomed a crowd of 125 Elk members, their families and members of the public. Boy Scout Troop 603 posted the colors, meeting attendees recited the Pledge of Allegiance and the opening prayer was provided by Lodge Chaplin, Michael Alarcon. Then the meeting was passed to event chairperson, Leo Hazel.
Leo introduced each WWII veteran with a detailed visual presentation he composed of their war experiences, battle campaign maps and awarded medals. Included in the presentation was the Lodge’s former charter member and long time Secretary, Robert “Bob” Rusie who just passed away on September 1, 2010. Several of the veterans present were POWs. In recognition of their service to our country, all recognized WWII veterans were given a certificate of appreciation from the Elks Lodge. Certificates will be delivered to those WWII veterans not at the meeting. Everyone gave high praise for the high quality presentation.
Mission Viejo Mayor Pro Tem, Dave Leckness, was invited to and made a few comments about the veterans and the importance of our military. Leckness praised the Elks saying, “Our country needs more of these types of patriotic tributes to our military and honors to our nations heroes.”
At the conclusion of the meeting, Lodge Organist Andy Costello played a medley of anthems from all branches of the military. As each anthem was played, all veterans that served in that branch of the military stood up and were recognized. The meeting closed with a rousing chorus of “God Bless America” sung by all and Taps rendered by Elk member, Ray Mallen.
Other Lodge volunteers that helped organize and conduct the meeting and were not previously mentioned include: Charlie Hart, Gloria LeCouvre, Tom Schreck, Bob Hauxhurst and Dennis Lumley.
The Mission Viejo / Saddleback Elks Lodge No. 2444 celebrating forty (40) years of service to the Saddleback Valley communities is one of ten 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 142 year history of giving. “So long as there are Veterans, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks will never forget them.”
