Exalted Ruler's June Message
From the Station of Fidelity,
Hello everyone out there in Elkdom. Hope this finds all in great health and happy. Now that our ritual practices are over we can now concentrate on the business of our great Lodge.
I have talked to some of the vistors that have used our RV spaces and I am so proud of all you members. The people that I talked to have nothing but praise for our Lodge and you members. They have told me that we are the friendliest Lodge that they have been to in their travels and some of them who were only going to stay one or two nights extended their stay for a couple of nights more. GOOD WORK BROTHERS AND SISTERS. This is what we are about. Keep up the great work.
This year, I hope we can have a big increase in membership and that can only happen with the help of YOU, my Brothers and Sisters. I'm sure you know someone who you think would be an asset to our Lodge. Bring them to one of the functions this month such as our open meeting on Flag Day on June 10th, our POT LUCK KARAOKE on the 14th, or our LUAU on the 28th of the month. These events are a great way to let them see for themselves what a fun time we have and also what we, THE ELKS are about. Don't keep it a secret. Remember ELKS CARE - ELKS SHARE.
Before I end my report this month I wan to say THANK YOU to all of the members who are giving me their support in this year as your Exalted Ruler. You have no idea how much this is appreciated by me. I only hope that I can stand up to your expectations of me as your leader for the year. To me, you are not just members you have all become my FAMILY MEMBERS. I truly care about all of you. My door, phone or computer is always open If you have a concern regarding me or my Corps of Officers, please feel free to contact any one of us. We are there for YOU!!!
Until next month, may God Bless each and every one of you.
Your Exalted Ruler,
Beverly Jaramillo
Leading Knight's June Message
From the Station of Charity
June is here, the start of Summer; Flag Day and vacation plans for many of us will start.
Flag Day is the 14th and is a day for all Americans to celebrate and show respect for our Flag. Our Lodge will celebrate with an open meeting on Tuesday June 10th. Our Flag is representative of our independence and our unity as a nation...one nation, under God, indivisible. I, as well as many of you, proudly fly the Flag in front of our homes.
The first official Flag of our nation was created and passed by the continental congress on June 14th, 1777. The first Flag Day ceremony was held on June 14, 1907, and became a national holiday declared by President Harry S. Truman. California was the 31st star added to the Flag.
The Flag of the United States of America today has 12 horizontal stripes - 7 Red and White - 50 white stars on a blue field - five rows of 6 and four rows of 5. The stripes remind us of the 13 original colonies that gained us our liberty. The stars represent the States that are bound together into one nation. "The colors of the horizontal stripes; white signifies purity and innocence; Red, hardiness and valor; Blue, vigilance, perseverance and justice." "The stars are a symbol of the heavens and the divine goal to which man has aspired from time immemorial; the stripes are symbolic of the rays of light emanating from the sun." The gold trim is generally used on ceremonial indoor Flags that are used for special services and is believed to have been first used in a military setting.
Our Flag has a proud and glorious history. It was at the forefront of many battles fought by Americans. Many people have died protecting it. It even stands proudly on the surface of the moon. With our nation at war today, as Americans and as Elks, we have every right to be proud of our culture, our nation, and our Flag. So raise the Flag on June 14th and fly it everyday with pride!
A BIG THANK YOU to all our members, Officers, and the A.V. Emblem Club #76 Color Guard that were able to step up and volunteer their time for a worthwhile cause by coming out and helping our Lodge support the "Elks Junior Youth Olympics". There are so many of you and I thank each and every one of you. Without your help the work of our Lodge would not be done. "REMEMBER AS LONG AS WE HAVE VETERANS, WE AS ELKS WILL NEVER FORGET THEM"
Your Leading Knight,
Bob Hancock
Loyal Knight's June Message
From the Station of Justice,
Our Flag: Knowing what a great country we live in today, and knowing what the past Americans had to do to make this a country that the whole world calls the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave, makes me proud every time I see our Flag flying.
So the next time you see it, look and enjoy all we have as Americans and remember, "God Bless America."
I would like to remind all of you that Red Shirts should be worn on Friday's to support all the young men and women serving in harms way so we can be free.
I want to thank all the members who have stopped me to offer support and express their ideas, it tells me someone has been reading my request for help from our members.
Remember, I am the chairman of Youth Activities this year and I need all the help I can get, so please ask how you can help.
Last but nor least, THANKS to all those who helped at the Youth Olympics Track Meet. It would not have been possible without you.
Your Loyal Knight,
George Olson
Lecturing Knight's June Message
From the Station of Brotherly Love,
There are those among us who harbor the belief that the change in Grand Lodge Statutes of a few years ago, which allowed female members, has marked the end of our fraternity. Webster's Dictionary has a different opinion. "Fraternal: 2: a group of men, (or, sometimes men and women) joined together by common interest, for fellowship, etc. 3: a group of people with the same beliefs. No, my Brothers and Sisters, that change has not been the end, nor the ruination of the Elks fraternity. In fact, in many Lodge, it has been the opposite effect. Without female officers to maintain the Lodge function, some Lodges face an end to their charter.
However, there is a trend on the horizon that may in fact bring about the demise of our fraternity. What differentiates our gathering from a bunch of folks who meet for pure social benefit? Our charities, you say? Good answer, but what in fact holds us together as an Order, is precisely that. Order and Ritual. Without maintaining these traits, we are just a bunch of folks, acting as kibitzers at a gathering! The Elks Ritualistic Manual states: "There is no activity throughout Elkdom that more consistently and continually furthers the fundamental principles of our Order that a dignified and impressive rendition of the ritual." Chapter 2 of the Laws of the Order, Ritual, Section 2.010 states: "Only rituals prepared by the Ritualistic Committee of the Grand Lodge and approved by the Grand Lodge in session assembled shall be used in opening and closing a lodge meeting, initiation of candidates, Installation of Lodge Officers and institution of of a new Lodge. There is no shortened form of any of these rituals."
Clearly, he policy makers of Elkdom have foreseen the necessity of maintaining order, dignity and ritual during all our proceedings. If we fail to conform to these precepts, we risk the demise of our fundamental principles, and may fall to the status of merely a club.
Your Lecturing Knight,
Richard Rutherford
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