Maine Elks Honor American Flag at Togus

On June 14, 2010, members and officers of the Maine Elks Association (MEA) held their annual Flag Day service at the Togus V.A. Medical Center in Augusta. The service commemorated the 233rd anniversary of the adoption of the "Stars and Stripes." The ceremony was held on behalf of veterans at the hospital, which was broadcast on the VA center's closed-circuit television system.

The ceremony was opened by James York of the Waterville Elks Lodge, serving as Master of Ceremonies. He introduced State President Roger Normandeau of the Sanford Elks Lodge, who, along with fellow officers performed the introductory exercises for the event. A history of the American Flag was then presented by Past State President Robert Drisko of the Augusta Elks Lodge.
 

During the reading of the Flag's history, Exalted Ruler's and members of the Augusta and Waterville Elk Lodges presented each flag while accompanied by music provided by John Plummer of the Augusta Elks Lodge. 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, accompanied by the POW-MIA Flag, remembering those who have served their country and were either held prisoner or are still missing in action.

Following the presentation of the Flags, a response was given by Past State President Philip O'Brion of the Farmington Elks Lodge. 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, Sicard also 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 MEA President-Elect Wayne Cotterly of the Lewiston Elks Lodge. Cotterly 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. The Pledge of Allegiance was then recited by those in attendance.

Following this, MEA 1st Vice-President John Nicholson of the Millinocket Elks Lodge read a piece called "Hello, Remember Me?" an essay depicting the Flag's point of view toward Americanism today. The service concluded with a singing of "God Bless America."

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 (Left) are L-R: State Secretary Philip O'Brion, State Chaplain J. Andrew Bolz, 2nd Vice-President Dwayne Guy, President Elect Wayne Cotterly, President Roger Normandeau, 1st Vice-President John Nicholson, Past State President Robert Drisko, Past Exalted Ruler James York

Lewiston Elks Hold Flag Day Services

On June 13, 2010, the Lewiston Elks Lodge #371 held its annual Flag Day services. Over one hundred people attended the event, including Veteran groups, Firefighters, and several area government officials. The services marked the 233rd anniversary of the adoption of the stars and stripes.
 

The event began with a welcome by Exalted Ruler (Lodge President) Larry Ashworth of Lewiston and introductory exercises conducted by the officers of the Lewiston Lodge. Following the opening ceremonies, a history of the Flag was read. Exalted Ruler Ashworth described each of the nation's historic flags, as each one was presented by volunteers who attended the event. The current American Flag was presented alongside the POW/MIA Flag, and was escorted by the Color Guard of the Lewiston Fire Department. Following this, a response was then given by Past District Deputy Wayne Cotterly of Poland Spring, noting the sacrifices made by the men and women of the nation's armed services and emergency response personnel.
 

Several presentations were made by government officials and representatives. Letters were read by field representatives of Senator Olympia Snowe, as well as from Congressman Michael Michaud. Each letter read; expressed the significance of Flag Day, and reminded everyone of the sacrifices made by our military personnel both in the present and in the past. State Representative Bruce Bickford and Mayor Laurent Gilbert of the City of Lewiston also both spoke about the importance of celebrating the birth of our nation's flag and the Pledge of Allegiance.
 

Following the presentations, a new POW/MIA Flag and American Flag was raised by officers of the Lodge assisted by the Vietnam Veterans of the USA Motorcycle Club at the front of the Lodge building. The Vietnam Veterans concluded the event with a "Missing Man" ceremony, during which a dinner table was set with several items, providing symbolic remembrance of those who remain missing in action.
 

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. Since 1907, Elk Lodges across the country have been celebrating Flag Day in an effort to further the American Spirit.
 

The Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks is a fraternal organization made up of nearly one million men and women from across the United States. The organization provides service to local communities through programs that promotes Americanism and supports our nation's youth and its veterans. For more information on this event, or other Elk programs, visit Elks.org, Maine Elks.org or contact the Lewiston Elks Lodge at 784-4801.
 

Pictured above are Left to Right: Bruce Bickford-State Representative for District 70, Karen Staples-Field Representative from Senator Snowe's office and the Lodge's Esteemed Loyal Knight, Larry Ashworth-Exalted Ruler, Andrea Quaid-Field Representative for Michael Michaud's office, and Lewiston Mayor Laurent Gilbert.

Rockland Elks Honor American Flag

Flag Day Chairman and Loyal Knight Arthur Anderson was well pleased with the Flag Day Exercises conducted at the Lodge on Sunday June 13, 2010.  The Exercises have been a tradition with the Order of Elks since 1908.  The Order of Elks, a distinctly American organization, has as it's cardinal symbol, the Stars and Stripes.  The Exercises were led by Exalted Ruler Scott Hall and the Lodge's Suite of Officers.  The US Marine Corps League Color Guard, Officers of the American Legion, and Boy Scout Troop #206 officiated the retiring of the colors and the raising of the new colors.Boy Scout David Benner played taps during the retiring of the colors. 

The history of the flag was read by Brother Edward Hastings and enacted by the Suite of Officers accompanied by the Emblem Club and Boy Scouts.  Inner Guard Bill Bachofner read The Response followed by remarks and the reading of a Proclamation from Senator Olympia Snowe by Rockland Mayor Debbie McNeil.  Knox County Sheriff Donna Dennision and VietNam veteran Michael McNeil also gave remarks to the gathering.  Esteemed guests included US Coast Guard CO Tom Svejcar and Rockland Fire Department Chief Jordan as well as several crew members of the Rockland Fire Department.

The retired flags were taken to the American Legion where they will be burned in accordance with the U.S. Flag Code.

Advertising Requested for Regional Soccer Shoot

The New Hampshire Elks Association will be hosting the Regional Soccer Shoot on November 5-7, 2010 in Portsmouth. During the event, participants and their families will be receiving a program book, which will contain advertising of support from Lodges, Officers, and Members of the Elks across the region.

Past Grand Lodge Committeeman Don Chesnel has distributed the request to all Lodges, and asks that all Current and Past State and Grand Lodge Officers purchase an ad for the book.

Prices are $100 dollars for a full page ad, $50 for a half page ad, and $25 for a quarter page ad. Ad money and Ad copy should be sent to Don Chesnel by no later than October 18, 2010.

Send to:

Donald Chesnel, PGLC
50 Patton St
Rochester, NH 03867

e-mail: deches@myfairpoint.net
telephone: (603) 833-9344

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, the MEA Website, or future issues of this newsletter.

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