Mission Viejo, CA – With the help of over one-hundred Boy Scouts, Little Leaguers, military veterans and Lodge members, Mission Viejo / Saddleback Valley Elks Lodge #2444 (“Elks Lodge”) will debut its recently acquired bronze statue of an Elk on a float entered in the Lake Forest July 3rd parade.
The float will be decorated with the American flag and other symbols of America. From the float, convertible cars and supporters walking the parade route, the entourage will hand out American Flag key fobs, candy and fans. Patriotic music will emanate from the float while parade participants wave American flags. After the parade, the Elk statue will be installed by the entrance to the Elks Lodge. The bronze finished aluminum Elk’s statue is approximately ten feet in height, six feet in length and two feet in width.
Elks Lodge Exalted Ruler Pat Martino said, “We are especially grateful that some of the groups receiving financial support from the Elks Lodge will participate in an event celebrating the Elk statue’s debut, the American flag and our country’s independence.” The national Elks organization, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (“BPOE”), led the effort to create national recognition of the American Flag. As a result, in August 1949, President Harry S. Truman, also a member of the Elks, proclaimed June 14 as Flag Day. June 14 was chosen because on June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress proposed that the United States have a national flag instead of the British Union Jack.
The Mission Viejo / Saddleback Elks Lodge #2444 is one of ten lodges in the Orange Coast District of the BPOE whose headquarters is in Chicago, Illinois. The BPOE is a charitable organization with a 142 year history of giving, “Elks Care, Elks Share.”
Hal Mattson, Lodge Publicity
Mission Viejo / Saddleback Valley Elks Lodge #2444
Andy Costello
Public Relations Chairman
