Maine Elks Association

Public Relations Committee Newsbriefs -6/15/06

Maine Elks Association Newsbriefs

Maine Elks Celebrate Flag Day at Togus VA

On June 14, 2006, the Maine Elks Association (MEA) held its annual Flag Day service at the Togus V.A. Medical Center in Augusta. The service commemorated the 229^th Anniversary of the adoption of the “Stars and Stripes.” Over 45 veterans and Elk members attended the event, which was held in the hospital’s chapel. The chapel was wired with a closed-circuit television system so that veterans throughout the facility could watch the service from their rooms.

The ceremony was opened by Past State President James Ferland, who introduced the current State President, Gregory Daniels. Following Daniels opening remarks; introductory exercises were then performed by the State Officers, followed by a history of the American Flag, presented by Past State President Claris Ranger. Music was provided for the event

During the reading of the Flag’s history, Exalted Ruler’s displayed replicas of the flags that were being described. Flags that were presented included the Pine Tree Flag of 1775, the Snake Flag of 1776-1777, a Flag bearing the red cross of St. George and the White Cross of St. Andrew of 1775, the Grand Union Flag of 1777, the Fort McHenry Flag of 1812, the 20-star Flag of 1818, the 48-star Flag, and today’s 50-star Flag.

Following the presentation of historic Flags, Daniels gave a tribute; to honor the American Flag, followed by a response given by Past State President Phil O’Brion of Jay. In his response, O’Brion paid tribute to the men and women who had fought to protect our nation’s Flag; from the Revolutionary War to the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, O’Brion gave recognition to the sacrifices made by so many of the hospital’s veterans throughout the years.

Following the response, an inspirational reading was given by the MEA’s Chaplain, Donald Dow of Pittsfield. Dow read portions of a stirring speech given by U.S. Senator John McCain at the Republican National Convention in 1988. McCain’s speech referenced a fellow prisoner of war, Mike Christian, who had created a makeshift American Flag, and who had sewn it to the inside of his shirt. The shirt would be hung in the cell at meal time, to which the prisoners would recite the Pledge of Allegiance. One day, the North Vietnamese had searched the cell, and found the flag sewn inside the shirt. Christian, who had created the flag was subsequently beaten severely, but upon his return to the cell, though badly injured, had begun creating a new flag. “He was not making that flag because it made Mike Christian feel better. He was making that flag because he knew how important it was for us to be able to pledge our allegiance to our flag and our country,” said McCain.  To remind those in attendance of the importance of the principals for which the Flag stands.

After reciting the Pledge, MEA 1^st Vice-President, Bruce Brunelle then read a piece called “I am your Flag,” an essay depicting the Flag’s point of view toward Americanism today. State President Daniels then closed the service. At the close of the ceremony, Daniels presented an American Flag to 90-year old World War II Veteran Carlton Munroe of Round Pond, Maine, thanking him for his service to his country. Munroe, who had served on PT boats during the war, is currently a resident at the Togus V.A. Medical Center Nursing Home Care Unit.

Each year, Flag Day is celebrated to commemorate the adoption of the Stars and Stripes by the Second Continental Congress on June 14, 1777. This observance was made official in 1916 by President Woodrow Wilson, who declared the date as National Flag Day. In 1949, President Harry Truman signed an Act of Congress proclaiming that the Flag of the United States would be displayed on all government buildings on June 14^th, and asked that the American people join in the observance of the Flag’s anniversary.

Pictured above: MEA State President Greg Daniels (left) presents 90-year old veteran Carlton Munroe with an American Flag following the Flag Day Services at Togus VA Medical Center in Augusta. Pictured at right is Cheryl Lajoie, Chaplain of the Augusta Elks Lodge #964.

Government Relations Update

Several events have taken place regarding passage of LD1901. The bill as it now stands is still in the Rule Making process. It is anticipated that the proposed Rule Making will be in its final draft late this week or early next week, with a public hearing on the Rule Making draft possibly on July 14th.

The legislature cut out the emergency status of LD 1901- therefore the earliest that any lodge can conduct a re-vote on the smoking issue is September 1, 2006.

The Rule Making process, when completed,  will dictate as to how each lodge must conduct their voting process - as well as the setting conditions on how the ballot must be worded.

I will be at the Grand Lodge convention in Orlando, FL from June 29th to July 18th and therefore will not be able to make any public hearing on the Rule Making review during that time period. I would encourage any Lodge member that is interested in this process to attempt to make the public hearing and voice your opinion. The Public Hearing schedule on Rule Making is published in local news papers each Wednesday of the week.

Fraternally,

Bob Drisko - Government Relations

All ages turn out to Honor Flag in Sanford
From Fran Libby, Sanford Public Relations

People of all ages turned out on a beautiful Sunday afternoon to honor our nation’s flag for Sanford Elks Flag Day Ceremony held in Sanford’s Central Park. In 1911 the Grand Lodge of Elks mandated all Elks Lodges through-out our country honor our Flag with an appropriate ceremony.  Officers from the Sanford Elks along with the Sanford Emblem Club #139, Knights of Columbus, selected members of the Sanford High Band and local children took part in a moving ceremony which included the Pledge of Allegiance, singing, band selections and History of the Flag.

People attending the ceremony ran the scale and had many reasons for attending. One of the youngest attendees was sixteen month old Kaylee G., granddaughter of Thea Murphy seemed content just waving her flags from her stroller while watching her big brother, Jayden carry the POW-MIA Flag during the ceremony. Thea thought it was important for the grandchildren to learn more about the history of the flag and decided to bring them to the park. On the other end of the scale were Larry and Emily Chretien, who travel to Sanford from Westbrook every Sunday to have lunch at Bonanza. While traveling thru town they saw the preparation for the service and Larry said he never passes up the chance to honor our flag so they just had to stop and attend the ceremony. Mr. Chretien is a member of the American Legion and a World War II Veteran.

Members of the Elks conducting the ceremony were; Exalted Ruler, Paul Normand, Christine Cote, Esteemed Loyal Knight, Carol Spellman, Esteemed Lecturing Knight, John Caron, Esquire, Peter Baker, Chaplain, Christine Baker, Secretary, and Frank L Ricker PSP,PDDGER. Bruce Brunelle, Past Exalted Ruler read the History of the Flag and Gordon Frazer, PER, ended the service with a moving response that reminded us not only of the history of the men and women that fought under the flag but the ones that continue to protect us today in places like Iraq and Afghanistan to allow us the freedoms we take for granted everyday.

Pictured above are Past Exalted Ruler Gordon Frazer reading a response to the history of the
Flag. Below is 16 month old Kaylee waving her Flags. At Lower Right is World War II Veteran
Larry Chretien and his wife  Emily who attendedthe ceremony

Presque Isle Elks “Hooked on Fishing, Not on Drugs”
From Don Dow, MEA PR Northern District Chairman

Pictured above (L-R)  MEA State President Greg Daniels, PDDGER Exalted Ruler Bill Davis

and Michael LaFrance, PER. At Right: Families enjoy a day of fishing.

The Presque Isle Elks Lodge hosted its’ annual “Hooked on Fishing, Not on Drugs” event for area youth.  Nearly 100 kids entered the fishing contest and roughly that many adults escorted them.  Prizes were awarded to all kids who caught a fish regardless of the size.  Prizes ranged from sleeping bags to boom boxes and over 300 hot dogs were served.  Maine State Game Wardens and many Elk members were present to help with baiting hooks and casting lines.  Maine State Elks Association State President Greg Daniels and his wife Barbara were in attendance and even participated in fishing themselves.  The event was planned and arranged by Elk members Curtis & Sally Lewin with help from the Aroostook State Park personnel.  Elk members Mary Dickinson, PER and Dana Dickinson, PER tended the grill.  The event was held to teach the children the enjoyment of fishing and to avoid the lure of using drugs.

Sebasticook Valley Elks Honor Flag with Local Scout Groups
From Don Dow, MEA PR District Chair-North

Boy Scout Troop 428 (Front Row) narrated the “History of the Flag” as members of Cub Scout Pack

428, Daisy Scouts, and Brownie Troops 472, 650, and 644  (Back Row) marched the flags into the Hall.

On Flag Day, June 14, 2006, the Sebasticook Valley Elks Lodge #2713 held its’ annual Flag Day Ceremony honoring the American Flag and its’ History.  During the ceremony, Exalted Ruler (Lodge President) Ken Hennessy encouraged local Boy Scout, Brownies, Daisy Scouts and Cub Scouts to always recognize the importance of the Flag and the Pledge of Allegiance and all it represents. Members of Boy Scout Troop 428 narrated the “History of the Flag” as members of Cub Scout Pack 428, Daisy Scouts, and Brownie Troops 472, 650, and 644 marched the flags into the Hall.  Maine Central Institute student vocalist Emily Lanzikos performed God Bless America and The Star Spangled Banner to a crowd of over 150 people.  The youths were previously treated to a pizza dinner and each attendee received an American Flag lapel Pin.

Past Exalted Ruler (Lodge President) and Maine State Elks Association Chaplain Don Dow read the response recognizing all the past efforts of Americans and the need for diligence for future generations to insure the success of the nation.  Past Lodge President and Lodge Esquire, Dennis Campbell, PER, a Marine Veteran, read the “Pledge of Allegiance” by Senator John McCain; a story about the importance of the Pledge of Allegiance while McCain was a POW in Vietnam.

Hennessy recognized the efforts and thanked all the scouts for their participation in the Ceremony and also recognized Lodge Youth Activities Chairman Chris Petersen and the Officers for their planning of the event.  As the evening ended, Hennessy presented all the troop leaders with new American Flags.

If you have news or information of interest to the members of the Maine Elks Association, please send your articles to Public Relations Director Wayne Cotterly at meapr@fairpoint.net for inclusion in the MEA Calendar, Newsbriefs, and/or Website. Also, if you would like to be removed from this mailing list, please send an e-mail to Public Relations Director Wayne Cotterly at meapr@fairpoint.net. In addition, if you know of someone who would like to be added to this list, please have them forward their e-mail address to the same address. All information provided has been read and approved by the MEA State President