Hello Fellow Elk Members and Veterans,
Veterans Corner Comments for Aug 2023:
    I have taken the opportunity to re-print the 10 guidelines to properly display the United States of America Flag as published by the American Legion. Many of us have fought under the flag of our country, so I feel it is appropriate to remind ourselves that there is a proper etiquette for displaying the flag. How To Display The United States Flag

1. The flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously.
2. The flag is never allowed to touch the ground or the floor.
3. When hung over a sidewalk on a rope extending from a building to a pole, the union stars are always away from the building.
4. When vertically hung over the center of the street, the flag always has the union stars to the north in an east/west street, and to the east in a north/south street.
5. The flag of the United States of America should be at the center and at the highest point of the group when a number of flags of states or localities or pennants of societies are grouped and displayed from staffs.
6. The flag should never be festooned, drawn back, nor up, in folds but always allowed to fall free.
7. The flag should be displayed at half-staff until noon on Memorial Day then raised to the top of the staff.
8. Never fly the flag upside down except as a signal of distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.
9. The flag is never flown in inclement weather except when using an all-weather flag.
10. The flag can be flown every day from sunrise to sunset and at night if illuminated properly. Semper Paratus
Walter Sapp
Chairman Veterans Committee
Lancaster Elks Lodge #1625  
Antelope Valley Vet Center: 38925 Trade Center Drive, Suite J, Palmdale, CA 93551 Phone (661) 267-1026 Fax (661) 267-2045 See the Antelope Valley Vet Center for Readjustment Counseling; Post-Traumatic Stress Counseling; Sexual Trauma Counseling; Bereavement Counseling; Help for Women Veterans; Referrals for V.A. Benefits; and Employment Referrals.
California Department of Veterans Affairs: (800) 952-5626, WWW.CALVET.CA.GOV See CAL-VET for Healthcare; Education; Housing; Employment Home Loan;s Veteran Homes; Compensation and Pension Claims and Other State Benefits. VETERANS TAKE CARE OF VETERANS.

This article was taken from the February edition of the Grand Lodge Newsletter:
  Army of Hope eases life’s stresses for military members By Stewart G. Israel In February 2003, the Elks announced the Army of Hope program to assist military members, including active-duty military personnel, deployed units, military reservists, the Coast Guard, the National Guard, and their families. The Army of Hope allows the military member to safely concentrate on his or her duties without worrying about the family at home. It has many facets and can be easily adapted to the needs of local and state organizations, VFWs, churches, and scout groups to adopt units and families to help them through these trying times. The first step, like with many projects, in to gather some volunteers. After you have established your Army of Hope volunteers, contact local groups like Reserve and National Guard units, Blue Star Family groups, and other groups for military members. Ask what their biggest struggles are, and offer examples of things your Lodge can do to help. Military families may contact the Lodge or volunteers directly, depending on how you set up the program.
Examples of aid assistance include:
• School Lunches
• Medical and dental emergencies not covered by insurance.
• Auto repairs or transportation when needed
• Minor home repairs (plumbing, electrical, painting, etc.)
• Full-time to back-up babysitting
• Lawn mowing, snow shoveling, landscaping, sprinkler repairs.
• Clothing and shoes