South San Francisco, CA November 4, 2020 Submitted by South San Francisco Elks
October 19th, 2020: An estimated twenty million Veterans are living 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 Paul R. Ryan has proclaimed November to be Veterans Remembrance Month.
The Elks have a pledge. “So long as there are Veterans, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks will never forget them.” And that’s as true today as it was more than 100 years ago, in 1918 when the Elks built a 700 bed hospital in Boston and donated it to the government, helping to create a precursor for today’s VA Medical Centers.
This November, as well as every month of the year, Elks will serve thousands of Veterans across the country. When Veterans are hospitalized and recovering, Elks are there. When Veterans are living in a home away from family, Elks are there. When Veterans are exiting homelessness and moving into a home, Elks are there. Because Elks are always there for Veterans. Altogether, our volunteers served more than 1 million Veterans last year, in ways big and small.
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 1,800 Elks Lodges across the country with a total membership of around 800,000. Elks members must be American citizens who are at least 21 years of age and must believe in God. To learn more and to join us in service, visit www.elks.org