To the editor:
An estimated 20 million veterans live in our communities. Each with a different story, they all shared a common pledge: to support and defend this country. In an effort to honor and support these veterans, Elks National President Robert L. Duitsman has proclaimed November to be Veterans Remembrance Month.
This November, as well as every month of the year, Elks will serve thousands of veterans across the country. Elks volunteer at more than 340 Veterans Administration medical centers, state veterans homes, clinics, transitional shelters and veterans facilities where they plan activities, buy needed supplies, host meals, and offer sincere friendship.
Elks help veterans rehabilitate and thrive by supporting adaptive sports events, and providing therapy kits and wheelchair gloves to recovering veterans.
Most recently, Elks have pledged to help end veteran homelessness by pledging millions of dollars to assist veterans experiencing homelessness. Since we made this pledge just five years ago, we’ve helped thousands of veterans exit or prevent homelessness.
Our Elks Lodges are focal points for supporting local military members and Veterans and meeting their needs. Last year alone, the total value of Elks contributions to our nation’s veterans was more than $50 million, and our members served hundreds of thousands of veterans.
This Veterans Remembrance Month, we urge you to join the Elks in recognition of and service to the veterans in your community. Let us remember the words of Elk member and President John F. Kennedy who said, “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them.”
There are nearly 1,900 Elks Lodges across the country with a total membership of around 800,000. Elks members must be American citizens who are at least 21 and must believe in God. To learn more and to join us in service, visit elks.org.
Joe Pedone
Park Ridge
Forwarding remarks by the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks national organization.