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Elks Remember Veterans
Next Wednesday is Veterans Day, and the Elks will join
together in showing our support for those who have served our country.
To see how far we have come as an organization, below is a history from
Grand Lodge of what the Elks have done to help our veterans. Please
show your support to those who served on Veterans Day!
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In 1917, the world was at war. The Order of Elks was
only 49 years old. In April of that year, Grand Exalted Ruler Edward
Rightor appointed a committee to study what the Order of Elks should do
inthis crisis. The Committee was ordered to present its findings to the
Grand Lodge Session in Boston that July.
At the session, this committee, headed by Past Grand Exalted Ruler John
K. Tener, recommended to the membership that "the Elks give first
consideration to the sick and wounded on the battlefields of France and
equip base hospitals for their care," and that "the Order
create a fund for war relief work.
The membership enthusiastically and unanimously approved a resolution
appropriating $1 million dollars for the War Relief Fund. This money
was raised by our members at the subordinate Lodge level.
GER Fred Harper, who was elected Grand Exalted Ruler at the Boston
convention, appointed an Elks War Relief Commission, with PGER Tener
serving as chairman. This Commission evolved into the organization we
have today: the Elks National Veterans Service Commission.
During World War I, the Elks, under the auspices of the War Relief
Commission, helped the nation to victory. Through the patriotism and
generosity of our members, the commission organized and equipped the
first two base hospitals to reach France -- Unit 41 staffed by faculty
and alumni from the University of Virginia, and Unit 46 with University
of Oregon faculty and alumni.
In 1918, to accommodate the maimed and wounded, the Elks built a
700-bed Reconstruction Hospital in Boston and gave it to the War
Department. That was the only veterans' hospital after World War I that
was donated by a private entity. It was transferred to the US Public
Health Service that same year, and then to the Veterans Bureau in 1922.
The hospital closed in 1928. Another facility was scheduled for
construction in New Orleans when the Government decided it was not
needed. Also in 1918, the Order built a 72-room Community House to take
care of families visiting the 40,000 soldiers stationed at Camp
Sherman, Ohio.
During the war, the Salvation Army was severely handicapped in its
great work for the servicemen by lack of funds. To make sure this work
continued, the Elks War Relief Commission and the subordinate Lodges of
the Order undertook campaigns to raise funds for the Salvation Army,
and on many occasions assumed the entire cost of these undertakings. In
addition, the Commission, at Christmastime 1918, gave the Salvation
Army $60,000 to continue its work.
The Commission made 40,000 rehabilitation, vocational and educational
loans to disabled veterans who were ineligible for Government help or
were waiting approval of their applications for assistance. This
service was so effective that the Federal Government followed the
Order's example; they set up a revolving fund and took over this
activity. The GI Bill, which makes funds available to veterans for education,
had its genesis from this Elk program.
More than 70,000 Elks served in the armed forces during World War I.
The supreme sacrifice was paid by more than 1,000.
In 1918, when the Armistice ended the fighting in Europe, it was a
lifelong Elk, General John J. "Blackjack" Pershing, a member
of New York Elks Lodge No. 1, who is said to have decided that the 11th
Hour Significance observed by the Benevolent and Protective Order of
Elks would be the basis for the signing of the papers. He chose the
eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month for the signing
of the Armistice.
The recognition of the Eleventh Hour dates back to the Battle of
Hastings in October of 1066 when William of Normandy established a
curfew demanding that all watch fires be extinguished at eleven each
night. The Royal Order of Buffaloes, of whom Charles Vivian, an
original Elk, was a member, practiced an eleven o'clock toast in
remembrance of this battle. Charles Vivian brought this tradition here.
George F. McDonald delivered the first official Eleven o'clock toast at
a social session May 31, 1868. In earlier days, the social sessions
were usually held on Sunday nights and were concluded about Eleven
O'clock. As the participants departed, members naturally made inquiries
about the absentees and expressed sympathetic interest in their causes.
The toast is a way to remember and wish well to those absent Elks.
In 1940, it was becoming quite apparent to many people that war was
quickly approaching our shores. At the Grand Lodge Session in Houston
that year, the Elks unanimously voted to establish the Elks National
Defense and Public Relations Commission. The primary focus of this
commission was to establish a patriotic program that placed the power
of the Order behind the United States National Defense Program. All
Elks were called upon to help preserve and defend our democratic way of
life.
Right after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, GER John S. McClelland
sent a telegram to President Roosevelt placing the Order of Elks at the
nation's disposal. McClelland then called a special session of the Elks
National Defense and Public Relations Commission in New York City. From
this meeting on January 4, 1942, was born the Elks War Commission.
With an initial war chest of $35,000, the War Commission set about its
work. They also appealed to the subordinate Lodges for financial aid
and manpower. Once again, our Brothers, with their families, responded
as they always have in times of crisis. Their support was overwhelming.
The Unites States Army asked the War Commission to recruit 45,000 young
men for the ground crews of the Army Air Corps. The commission, with
the help of the Lodges, recruited 97,000.
During its first session, the War Commission decided to set up a
program in cooperation with Lodges that were close to large military
camps. They wanted to provide Brother Elks with the benefits of their
membership in the spare time available to them. The commission also
wanted to provide members of the armed forces who were not Elks with some
of the comforts of home while away for their families.
Throughout the United States, 155 Elks Fraternal Centers were
established. They were supported by the Elks National War Commission,
and in many instances, by individual Lodges.
Because of their record of accomplishment, the Elks were asked to help
recruit men skilled in construction for the Army Corps of Engineers and
the Navy Construction Battalions. With the enthusiasm and efficiency of
our Lodges, the requested numbers were met three months ahead of
schedule.
The president of the American Merchant Marine Library Association
reported to the commission that 600,000 books were needed to provide
reading material for the seamen of the Merchant Marine Service. The
Order responded by providing 650,000 books, one per every member at
that time of our great organization.
When the Philippines and Guam fell to the Japanese, the Elks provided
aid for members and their families of Manila Lodge No. 761 and Agana
Lodge No. 1281.
Thousands of gift boxes and personal hygiene items were sent to our
fighting military personnel, while thousands of slippers were
distributed to hospitalized members of the armed forces.
When thousands of wounded and disabled members of the armed forces
returned to the States for recuperation at government hospitals, the
Elks again stepped forward, offering their services to help entertain
the veterans. The Elks provided the hospitals with radios, phonographs,
playing cards, books, magazines, games, musical instruments, craft
supplies and personal items.
The Elk volunteers also spent hours listening to these heroes. They
heard their tales of horror and heroism during battle. They listened to
the hopes and dreams of these young veterans who were far from home,
family, spouses and sweethearts. Most of all, the Elks were there to
lend support whenever possible.
It was through this work with hospitalized veterans during World War II
that we continued our evolution of serving our nation's veterans.
In July 1946 at the Grand Lodge Session in New York, the Elks National
Veterans Service Commission was created to replace the Elks War
Commission. The commission's primary goals were to carry on the
Hospital Program, the Peace Army Enlistment Campaign, and all
uncompleted activities supervised by the Elks War Relief Commission.
During this session, the Elks pledged that "So long as there are
veterans in our hospitals, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks
will never forget them." Our commitment continues to this day. The
Elks even provided funds and materials to build a recreational unit at
the Navy Hospital in Guam.
At the Philadelphia convention in 1948, a delegate from each Lodge in
California deposited a bundle of hides at the rostrum. These hides,
valued at $26,000, were distributed to 21 veteran's hospitals that had
requested the items. Thus began our Leather Program. We still actively
promote and support occupational therapy programs with tooling leather
provided from hides collected and donated by Elks.
The Elks National Veterans Service Commission became the Elks National
Service Commission in 1949 at the Grand Lodge Session in Cleveland.
This new commission was named the patriotic agency of the Order, in
addition to continuing to work with veterans.
When a shooting war broke out in Korea in 1950, the Elks responded by
sending gift packs as they had in World War II. The same was done in
1965 for those involved in the Vietnam War.
During the Korean War, the Secretary of Defense appealed to the Order
for help in procuring blood for our wounded. Within a few months, the
Elks Lodges obtained more than half a million pints.
During the Vietnam War, the Defense Department was concerned with the
morale of our 400,000 troops. While these troops were fighting
communist aggression, anti-American sentiment was being reported on the
home front. After much discussion, it was decided that a "Letters
from Home" campaign would help counteract the negative acts
emanating from this country. The Elks again answered the call and
flooded these fine young defenders of freedom with letters expressing
our gratitude for the sacrifices they were making for our country.
When the Commission learned that our wounded were sweltering in Tripler
Army Medical Center, which lacked air-conditioning, they provided 24 air-conditioning
units so that these military personnel might recover in relative
comfort.
Since 1986, the Commission has worked closely with Re-Creation, a group
of young men and women who travel around the country visiting and
entertaining our hospitalized veterans. This program helps brighten the
days of those confined to VA medical centers.
As our fighting men and women were defending the sanctity of life from
the sands of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait to Iraq, the Elks once again
mounted a letter-writing campaign thanking these patriots for their
dedication to duty. Gift packs were also sent as in previous conflicts.
The Elks were among the first fraternal organizations to formally
welcome home the returning veterans from Operation Desert Storm.
Subordinate Lodges held appropriate functions recognizing the veterans'
sacrifices and thanking them for their commitment to duty.
That Elks hold veterans in high esteem is evident by their actions.
During the Grand Lodge Convention held in Los Angeles in 1921, a proposal
was made to establish the Elks National Headquarters in Chicago. The
Committee also recommended that the Order erect a memorial building
honoring those who served their country and gave their lives during the
Great War. The Elk Lodges raised $2.5 million to pay for the new
building.
The cornerstone was laid on June 7, 1924. On June 14, 1926, the edifice
was formally dedicated to those who served in World War I. The National
Headquarters and Memorial Building was rededicated in 1946 to those who
saw service in World War II. Again, in 1976, this honor was bestowed on
those who answered the call in Korea and Vietnam.
In 1990, at their annual meeting in Las Vegas, the Elks voted to
restore their National Headquarters and Memorial to America's Veterans.
They raised more $4.5 million for this purpose. On July 3, 1994, the
building was rededicated to peace and to those who served in Grenada,
Panama, Operation Desert Storm and other conflicts.
At the National Convention held in New Orleans in 1995, the delegates
voted on July 13th to change the name of the Elks National Service
Commission to the Elks National Veterans Service Commission, just as it
was from 1946 to 1949. While our name has changed, our mission is the
same -- to provide aid and comfort to any veteran in need.
Our story is long, our work is humble, our history is proud. The Elks
National Veterans Service Commission will continue serving our nation's
veterans.
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November is Veterans Remembrance Month. As Elks we
should all take this opportunity to thank our past and present service
men and women for all that they do routinely to keep us safe and to
preserve our freedoms. It is easy to take for granted the wonderful
freedoms we enjoy. Those freedoms came at, and still come at, a very
high price. We are truly indepted to those who so willing serve and
sacrafice on our behalf. To them... we, as Elks salute you!
