The Mission Viejo, Saddleback Valley Elks assembling for the parade.
Elks Lodge Exalted Ruler Gloria R. LeCouvre and Elks parade chairman Derek Randles with parade award
Derek Randles, Exalted Ruler Gloria R. LeCouvre and Lake Forest Mayor Peter Herzog
The city of Lake Forest presented it’s Independence Day Parade awards this week. The Mission Viejo, Saddleback Valley Elks Lodge No. 2444 was honored for the second year. This year’s award was for “Most Original Entry”. The Elks Lodge, serving all of the Saddleback Valley communities, was the largest contingent in the parade (120 parade participants). Their theme for the parade was “A Tribute to our Nation’s Veterans”. The sea of blue shirts worn by Elks parade participants handsomely displayed the Order’s Elk and Elk USA logos. Elks sponsored Boy Scout Troop 603, Elk members and their families, and ten vintage vehicles carrying veterans made up the winning unit. Peter Herzog, mayor of Lake Forest presented the awards. Accepting for the Elks was Lodge president (Exalted Ruler) Gloria R. LeCouvre and Elks parade chairman Derek Randles. “Receiving an award is always nice,” said Exalted Ruler LeCouvre.” But the important thing for us was the opportunity to pay tribute to our nations veterans in such a public and festive setting. Our thanks to the City of Lake Forest for allowing us to participate.”
The Mission Viejo / Saddleback Elks Lodge No. 2444, celebrating forty-one (41) 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 143 year history of giving, “Elks Care, Elks Share.” For information on membership, call (949) 830-ELKS or go to the Elks National Web Site http://www.elks.org/
