The Mission Viejo, Saddleback Valley Elks were at Camp Pendleton eight months ago to cook breakfast and send off 300 marines who were being deployed. This past Thursday seven Mission Viejo Elks Charity Committee members woke up at the crack of dawn to caravan down to Camp Pendleton for a very special homecoming. Their mission: to serve meals, that day and the next to almost 200 Marines and their families returning from an unknown region near Afghanistan, after their deployment October 2016. Eight months of defending our freedom.
When the Mission Viejo Elks adopted Combat Logistics Battalion 11 unit of 300 Marines led by Lt. Col Patrick J. Reynolds last Fall, they did not realize the impact they would have. Mary Reynolds, wife of the team leader, notified MV Elks Past District Deputy Harvey Boelts that the first wave of those Marines would be returning in mid-May. Harvey quickly organized the Elks’ own volunteer team, purchased food for breakfast, lunch and dinner, rented a bobtail truck and packed everything necessary to mount the charge. Laura Boelts (daughter-in-law) was able to secure cases and cases of Monster Energy Drinks for the homecoming troops, all donated from a local distributor.
Then, after a long day of anticipation, the first wave of Marines arrived through the mist over the Pacific in small watercraft launched from the mother ship not far off the coast. Joy and relief rang through crowd as “dinner was served” by the Elks…the first home-cooked meal on American soil in over 8 months. The Marines and their families were so gracious and appreciative of the efforts of the Elks, just as the Elks are proud and appreciative of the Marines and the Armed Forces. After returning to the Elks lodge around 11pm, the Elks volunteers had smiles on their faces. It was a long but satisfying day. And they did it all again the very next day.
An important part of the Elks creed is, “…always remember that Charity is the greatest of all the virtues and that is should ever rule us in our hearts and in our lives….”
Michael Klinger
Lodge publicity
Andy Costello
Elks Grand Lodge Area 7
Public Relations & Marketing Committeeman
