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MA Elks Association Informational Special Update

Massachusetts Elks Association

Email Informational Special Update - 11-11-08

Today is: Veteran's Day in the United States

Born on this Date in 1885 - George S. Patton, general “Old Blood & Guts”
On this Date in 1921 - President Harding dedicates the Tomb of Unknown Soldier
in Arlington National Cemetery
On this Date in 1938 - Kate Smith first sings Irving Berlin's “God Bless America” on network radio
(it is Armistice Day in the U.S.)

A Soldiers Prayer

'Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands.
Protect them as they protect us
Bless them and their families
for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need.
In Jesus name we ask,
Amen.'

http://www.oneamerica.net/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=38_42&zenid=2db7e9c292a54b64ab96f326bbd83ce0

The Flower of Remembrance

In Flanders Fields

By John McCrae

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly.

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow

Loved, and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

This was the poem written by World War I Colonel John McCrae, a surgeon with Canada's First Brigade Artillery. It expressed McCrae's grief over the "row on row" of graves of soldiers who had died on Flanders' battlefields, located in a region of western Belgium and northern France. The poem presented a striking image of the bright red flowers blooming among the rows of white crosses and became a rallying cry to all who fought in the First World War. The first printed version of it reportedly was in December 1915, in the British magazine Punch.

McCrae's poem had a huge impact on two women, Anna E. Guerin of France and Georgia native Moina Michael. Both worked hard to initiate the sale of artificial poppies to help orphans and others left destitute by the war. By the time Guerin established the first sale in the U.S., in 1920 with the help of The American Legion, the poppy was well known in the allied countries — America, Britain, France, Canada, Australia and New Zealand — as the "Flower of Remembrance." Proceeds from that first sale went to the American and French Children's League.

Guerin had difficulty with the distribution of the poppies in early 1922 and sought out Michael for help. Michael had started a smaller-scaled Poppy Day during a YMCA conference she was attending in New York and wanted to use the poppies as a symbol of remembrance of the war. Guerin, called the "Poppy Lady of France" in her homeland, and Michael, later dubbed "The Poppy Princess" by the Georgia legislature, went to the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) for help. Following its first nationwide distribution of poppies, the VFW adopted the poppy as its official memorial flower in 1922.

However, a shortage of poppies from French manufacturers led to the idea of using unemployed and disabled veterans to produce the artificial flowers. In 1924, a poppy factory was built in Pittsburgh, Pa., providing a reliable source of poppies and a practical means of assistance to veterans. Today, veterans at Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities and veterans homes help assemble the poppies, which are distributed by veterans service organizations throughout the country.

Donations received in return for these artificial poppies have helped countless veterans and their widows, widowers and orphans over the years. The poppy itself continues to serve as a perpetual tribute to those who have given their lives for the nation's freedom.

Flag Code Change: Veterans Salute
From Richard Palanzo, GL Americanism Committee

A Change In The Flag Code Allows Veterans To Render The Military Salute When The U.S. Flag Is Hoisted, Lowered Or Passes, or when reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

The " United States Flag Code" {Title 4 of the United States Code} includes instruction and rules on such topics as the pledge of allegiance, display and use of the flag by civilians, time and occasions for display, position and manner of display, and how to show respect for the flag. Earlier this year there have been some significant changes to the code regarding conduct by military not in uniform and veterans.

Section 9. Conduct During Hoisting, Lowering or Passing of Flag, has been recently changed by Congress. “During the ceremony of hoisting or lowering the flag or when the flag is passing in a parade or in review, all persons present in uniform should render the military salute. Members of the Armed Forces and veterans who are present but not in uniform may render the military salute. All other persons present should face the flag and stand at attention with the right hand over the heart, or if applicable, remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at their left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Citizens of other countries present should stand at attention. All such conduct toward the flag in a moving column should be rendered at the moment the flag passes.”*

Section 4. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag: Manner of Delivery, has also been affected by the change in section 9. “The pledge of Allegiance to the Flag: “I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”, should be rendered by standing at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. When not in uniform men should remove any non- religious headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart (Under section 9 Veterans and members of the military not in uniform are now permitted to salute)**. Persons in uniform should remain silent, face the flag, and render the military salute.”**

References:

Congressional Research Service Report for Congress

The United States Flag: Federal Law Relating to Display and Associated Questions; Updated April 14, 2008; John R. Luckey , Legislative Attorney, American Law Division *CRS-7,** CRS-2,3.

Annual MA Elks Circle District Veterans Dinner

The Weymouth Elks Lodge #2232 hosted a Circle District Veterans Dinner on Sunday November 2, 2008.

There were 140 Hospitalized Veterans in attendance, along with 60 other Veterans. The chairman of this annual event was Gary Conley (PDD) and with help from Frank Burke, our Veterans Representative of Weymouth, the local Boyscouts, the Ladies Club, the ER's from the Circle District, our Chefs, and many volunteers, made this day one to be remembered by our Veterans. With the choice of meatloaf or chicken dinners, homemade soup, salad, and many deserts, nobody left hungry.

There was a small ceremony to open, Marine Colorguard, Invocation by Larry Qualia (PDD and Chaplain) and then the Lighting of the Candles to honor each branch of the military, and one last candle for our POW/MIA Vets.

Pictured Above with at couple of the Veterans present were: Frank Burke Weymouth Lodge member and Weymouth Veterans Representative, Gary Conley PDD, Sean McArdle Circle District Deputy and Ernie Humphreys ER Weymouth Lodge.

This was Weymouth's 32nd year of hosting this event and it gets better every year. Our Ladies Club had the Veterans up dancing to the music and having a good laugh with them. At the end of the day, each Veteran received a Care Pack of useful items to help them out.

The MA Elks State Association was in attendance, along with many dignitaries from other Lodges. Thank You to everyone who made this day possible, and God Bless our Veterans.

Sincerely,

Ernest Humphreys - Exalted Ruler Weymouth Lodge 2232