Each December on National Wreaths Across America Day, the “Mission to Remember, Honor and Teach” is carried out by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as at more than 1,400 additional locations in all 50 U.S. states, at sea and abroad. On December 15, under brilliant blue skies overlooking the majestic Pacific Ocean, Elks from Mission Viejo Saddleback Valley, Newport Harbor and Huntington Beach joined over 300 visitors to honor our fallen veterans at Pacific View Memorial Park in Corona Del Mar.
Over 2,000 donated wreaths were located throughout the Memorial Park awaiting placement on grave sites by visitors, first stating the fallen veteran’s me followed by a salute if so required.
Exalted Ruler Mike Klinger speaks about the mission of the Elks
The Mission Viejo Elks, gathered support from the Veterans Committee, chaired by Jerrie Muir along with Charity Bingo, and donated $2,000 or 120 wreaths for the ceremony. For three consecutive years, Orange Elks Coast District National Veterans Service Chairman, Dave Perry, organized the Elks effort to support our community and honor our fallen heroes. Following the welcome address delivered by Pacific View Location Manager Marie Hess, a Gold Star Wife spoke about her husband’s career in the military along with her entire family of veterans.
2,000 wreaths were placed on the beautiful Pacific View grounds
MV Elks and Viet Nam Vet Dave Angelo places wreath
Mission Viejo Elks Exalted Ruler, Mike Klinger, addressed the guests and explained the mission of the Elks. “An important part of the Elks mission throughout the country is to support disabled children and our veterans. Every day small lodges around the country help veterans and their families with meals, housing, hospital visits or serving dinner at a local military base. Recently the Mission Viejo Elks have provided a holiday dinner for a Battalion of 300 Marines at Camp Pendleton, played Bingo with veterans at Long Beach Veterans Hospital, partnered with Esperanza School special needs students who handmade “Blankets for the Brave” and adopted two veterans families this holiday season donating Christmas trees, decorations, gifts, clothes and a much-needed bed and laptop.”
Veterans will never be forgotten
Air Force Reserve, Steve Schock, with his family Ruth, Allison, Catherine and Christian Campoy visit Steve’s mom and dad’s final resting place
As the presentations wound down, the visitors were eager to begin placing the wreaths. As the visitors roamed the hillside, each person carefully viewed each headstone, found a veteran’s resting place, knelt-down and slowly positioned the wreath. Then in reverence, stated the name of the hero that lies beneath, “John Francis Reilly, United States Navy, World War ll. Thank you for your service”. The Elks are proud to serve our communities and pledge to our veterans that we will never forget.
Corona del Mar ROTC in a moment of silence
The Mission Viejo/Saddleback Valley Elks Lodge #2444 is celebrating 49 years of service to Saddleback Valley Communities. It is one of 8 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 150-year history of giving. “Elks Care Elks Share” For information regarding Elks programs or membership, call 949 830-3557.
Report and Photos by Mike Klinger, Elks ER
Andy Costello
Grand Lodge Area 7
Membership & Marketing Committeeman
