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An estimated twenty-two million veterans live in our communities. The Elks National President, Michael T. Luhr, has proclaimed November to be Veterans Remembrance Month as a way to encourage us to reach out to local veterans and offer your support.

This November and every month of the year, Elk will serve thousands of veterans across the country. Elks volunteer at more than 330 VA medical centers, state veterans homes, clinics, transitional shelters and veterans facilities where they plan activities, buy needed supplies, host meals and offer friendship. Elks help veterans rehabilitate and thrive by supporting adaptive sports events, and providing therapy kits and wheelchair gloves to recovering veterans.

More recently, Elks have pledged to help end veteran homelessness by pledging $4 million to assist veterans experiencing homelessness. We’ve since helped thousands of Veterans exit or prevent homelessness. Our Elks Lodges are focal points for supporting local military members and Veterans and meeting their needs. Last year alone, the total value of Elks’ contributions to our nation’s Veterans was nearly $47 million, and our members served more than 677,000 Veterans.

This Veterans Remembrance Month, we urge the community to join the Elks in recognition of and service to the veterans in our community. Let us also 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 1,900 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.

The Sandpoint Elks are especially proud of the services and support the Elks provide to the various veterans organizations in Bonner and Boundary counties. To learn more about Elks activities and membership, please call 208-263-3811 and leave a message or go online to elks.org.

BECKY STONE

Sandpoint

Exalted Ruler

Sandpoint Elks