Maine Elks Association
Public
Relations Committee Newsbriefs -7/2/2009
Maine Elks Association Newsbriefs
MEA State President Message-July 2009
July is upon us and finally the warm
summer days we have longed for appear to be here. Enjoy your summer months as
they tend to slip by quickly. Spend a little more time with your families
(longer days helps in that department), and continue the good works that have
been ongoing in all of the lodges around this great state.
Freddy and I are off to the National Convention in Portland, Oregon and will do all that we can to represent this state in a dignified manner. We look forward to seeing some old friends and making many new friends while we are away. I will have a complete report for you when we return.
July is a time to look at where your Lodge is going and to reflect on the many programs that you are running. When Elks get together, good things happen because many Elks can accomplish so much more than one Elk. Don't be afraid to invite other members, new and not so new to get involved in the things you are doing. It can be infectious and rewarding to those who participate.
Remember that the summer meeting of the MEA is Sunday, August 16th in Millinocket. Tim Smyth has mailed a notice to each lodge with room rates and availability. So, call ahead to get your room reserved so that it is off your mind and you will have the motel of your choice.
Finally, look around at the beauty of Maine. It is everywhere we are. It is made even more special because of each of you.
Fraternally,
Mike Powers
President,
MEA
ATF
Federal Occupational Tax Stamp Info Due
http://www.ttb.gov/tax_audit/fed_tax_stamp.shtml
"Regulations will require marketers of alcohol beverages to register in the following circumstances:
Funeral
Information For Maine Veterans
My name is Frank Norwood. I am the Military Funeral Honors Coordinator
for the great state of Maine. I thought that I would provide the
following information in hopes of disseminating to all Elks members around the
state.
The rendering of Military Funeral Honors for United States Armed Forces
Veterans is a tribute that our Veterans and their families justly deserve and
in fact, are ENTITLED to.. It is a way to show our Nation's deep
gratitude to those who, in times of war and peace, have faithfully defended our
country.
Section 578 of the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2000
requires the Department of Defense to provide, upon request, Military Funeral
Honors for eligible Veterans.
The Army National Guard Honor Guard Program supported 84 percent of all
Military Funeral Honors for the Army in fiscal year 2008.
Since October 2004, the Maine Military Funeral Honor Program has performed over
3500 Military Funerals all over the state of Maine. According to the
Maine Veteran's Administration, Maine will lose nearly 4000 Veterans (Army,
Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Army Air Corps and Merchant
Marines) per year through the year 2010 with an estimated one third being Army
Veterans.
Who is eligible to receive honors?
Any person (Active, National Guard or Reserve and Merchant Marines) who
completed at least one enlistment of military service and received an honorable
discharge is ENTITLED to Military Funeral Honors.
Documentation requirements...
DD FORM 214 or
Discharge certificate for active duty or reserve components
NGB
FORM 22 or Discharge certificate for National Guard Soldiers
NOTE: Veterans or families of Veterans should coordinate with the Maine
Veterans Administration (207) 626-4464 for assistance in acquiring missing or
misplaced discharge documents. If the Veteran resided in a state other
than Maine at the time of discharge, you will need to contact that states
Veterans Administration.
How do I request Military Funeral Honors?
Family members of the deceased Veteran should notify their Funeral Director of
their desire to receive Military Funeral Honors at the internment of their
loved one. Family members may also coordinate directly with the Maine
Military Funeral Honors Coordinator, Mr. Frank Norwood, 1-800-958-5967.
Military Funeral Honors may be conducted any time...any place within the state
of Maine.
The standards that my team is expected to maintain is the same as those
expected of Soldiers performing ceremonies in Arlington National Cemetery.
There are absolutely no cost to the families for this service. This is
something that the Veterans of Maine have already paid for with their service
to our country.
I would appreciate the widest possible dissemination of this information.
Thank you for your service to the Veterans and the communities of Maine.
Sincerely,
Mr. Frank R. Norwood
Maine Military Funeral Honors Coordinator Office toll free:
1-800-958-5967
Office: 207-626-7822
DSN: 626-7822
Cell: 703-901-8531
FAX: 207-626-7804
Web site: www.funeralhonors.org
Excellence is the result of caring more than others think is wise, risking more
than others think is safe, dreaming more than others think is practical, and
expecting more than others think is possible.
"Whenever individuals decide to join the Armed Forces of the United States
they promise to put themselves between the people of the United States and
those who would harm us. To honor this promise and sacrifice, we are
committed to doing all that we can to support our deceased Veterans & the
families of those Veterans."
"Honoring those who served"
Maine
Elks Headed To Portland; Oregon That Is...
This week, dozens of Maine Elks will be headed out west to attend the B.P.O. Elks 2009 Grand Lodge Convention in Portland, Oregon. The convention will run for five days, beginning on Sunday July 5th and running through Thursday July 9th. Prior to the event, the Maine Elks Association will host its annual “Taste of Maine” event this coming Saturday. This event allows the Grand Lodge family an opportunity to meet with members of the Maine Elks, and to sample some of Maine’s cuisine.
On Sunday, the Opening Ceremonies will be conducted. One of the highlights of these ceremonies will be when MEA State President Michael Powers carries in the State of Maine’s Flag during the “Parade of Flags.” Following the introduction of each State, and its respective President, the opening remarks will be made by Past Grand Exalted Ruler James W. Damon, and the introduction of the Past Grand Exalted Ruler’s and Past First Ladies will be made by Past Grand Exalted Ruler Louis J. Grillo. The principal address will be made by Grand Exalted Ruler Paul D. Helsel.
On Monday, the business meeting will begin at 8:30 AM, which will include reports from the Grand Exalted Ruler; preliminary reports from registration, Committee on Judiciary, and Board of Grand Trustees, as well as the Elks National Foundation Report. Later that morning, the Election of Grand Lodge Officers will take place, at which the endorsed candidate, James L. Nichelson is expected to be elected as Grand Exalted Ruler for the year 2009-2010. That afternoon, the Exalted Ruler’s will attend a luncheon and conference, where the Grand Exalted Ruler-Elect will outline his goals for the coming year. That night, several members will attend the New England Dinner, which affords the members an opportunity to meet with other Elks from across New England.
On Tuesday,
the business meeting will begin at 8 AM, with reports from the following
committees: National Memorial and Publication Commission/Veterans Memorial
Restoration Trust, National Convention Commission, Report and Award by the
Ritualistic Committee, Government Relations Committee, Public Relations
Committee, Report and Awards by the State Association’s/Lodge Activities
Committee, Membership Committee, Americanism Committee, and the Youth
Activities Committee. There will also be a report from the Resolutions
Committee of the Board of Grand Trustees and the Grand Forum. That afternoon,
Maine’s three District Deputy Designates will attend a conference.
On Wednesday, the business meeting will begin at 8 AM, and will feature the Committee on Judiciary Legislative Session.. This is where the Grand Lodge Statutes, Rules, and Regulations are established, amended, or deleted. Following this, the Elks National Veterans Service Commission will make its report, as well as the final report and results of the Grand Lodge Ritualistic Contest. Maine will be represented in this contest by the Sanford Elks Lodge #1470. Following all reports, the Elks Memorial Service will be conducted at 11 AM. That afternoon, the State President’s and State Secretaries will attend a luncheon and conference with the Grand Exalted Ruler-Elect, who will outline the Grand Lodge Programs for the coming year. That evening, the Exalted Ruler’s Ball will take place beginning at 8:30 PM.
On Thursday, the final Grand Lodge Session will feature a report of the Hoop Shoot Committee, and the introduction of the National Hoop Shoot Winners. In addition, the Elks National Foundation’s Most Valuable Student Scholarship winners will have an opportunity to address the crowd. The Elks Drug Awareness Committee will also make its report, followed by the Installation of the Grand Lodge Officers, and the swearing in of Maine’s three new District Deputies; Andrew Bolz of the Sanford Elks Lodge, Robert Drisko of the Augusta Elks Lodge, and Michael LaFrance of the Presque Isle Elks Lodge.
Throughout the week, the Maine Elks will have an opportunity to meet with
fellow Elks from across the country, swap stories, trade pins, and generally
enjoy what is always a most friendly atmosphere. In addition, several seminars
will be held to provide information on many of the Elks Programs.
New Hampshire Elks Visit Skowhegan-Madison
Lodge
The Skowhegan-Madison Elks Lodge hosted 18 New Hampshire Elks for lunch on June
21 as the group of motorcyclists led by PER "Rosy" Ross-Miranda
finished up their two-day tour of the Pine Tree State. Among the Skowhegan-Madison
Elks volunteers that day were ER Susan Horsman, PER Julie Washburn, Darrell
"Erkel" Gallant and Bobbi Alley. Proceeds from the lunch donations
went to the Maine Children's Cancer Program. (Photo courtesy of Lisa Conant)
Millinocket
Holds Day For Kids
From Slugger Barnes, Millinocket Elks Lodge
The
Millinocket Elks Lodge recently held its annual Kids Day at Jerry Pond
a total of 570 people showed up despite the overcast weather. Each year,
the
Millinocket Elks Lodge sponsors this event, along with several other
groups
from the Katahdin Area.