exalted ruler's MESSAGE

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Hello everyone,

Marie and I had the privilege of representing our Lodge at the Arizona Elks Association State Convention on May 11 through May 13 in Tempe, AZ. We had a great time visiting Elks that we have not seen for a while and meeting new Elks from various lodges around the state. Grand Exalted Ruler Bruce A. Hidley was in attendance along with our state sponsor PGER Robert L. Duitsman. Both Bruce and Robert congratulated our state association and all the local Elks lodges for becoming #3 in the country for membership behind California (#1) and Florida (#2). California is #1 in the nation with a population of 40.2 million, Florida is #3 with 22.3 million, and Arizona is #14 with 7.4 million, these numbers tell us how great the state of Arizona is in comparison to all other states. We received 2nd place in the state for our Bugle and 3rd place for our Americanism brochure. Thanks to Jim and Mimi for their hard work and everyone who helped with this accomplishment. 

Here are a few upcoming events at the Lodge and in our community to be aware of:

· July 5,6,7 – Elks National Convention in Minneapolis, MN

· July 16 – National Ice Cream Day

· July 17 – National Yellow Pig Day

· July 22 – National Hammock Day

June 14 is Flag Day. Flag Day commemorates the adoption of the Stars and Stripes as the official flag of the United States. I want to thank Doug Harpold (PER) for preparing for and performing this year’s Flag Day Ceremony. Regrettably, I will not be able to attend as it is on Wednesday, and I will be working that day. The ceremony is at the Vistoso Funeral Home at 11:00 am, along with the traditional Flag Retirement Ceremony. Lunch will be served following the ceremony. 

A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY

Decoration Day, now known as Memorial Day first occurred on May 30, 1868. On the first Decoration Day, 5,000 participants decorated the graves of 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers buried at Arlington Cemetery, while  General James Garfield made this historic speech: 

“I am oppressed with a sense of the impropriety of uttering words on this occasion. If silence is ever golden, it must be here, beside the graves of fifteen thousand men, whose lives were more significant than speech, and whose death was a poem, the music of which can never be sung. With words we make promises, plight faith, praise virtue. Promises may not be kept, plighted faith may be broken, and vaunted virtue be only the cunning mask of vice. We do not know one promise these men made, one pledge they gave, one word they spoke: but we do know they summed up and perfected, by one supreme act, the highest virtues of men and citizens. For love of country, they accepted death, and thus resolved all doubts, and made immortal their patriotism and their virtue.” 

For love of country, God bless our country, God bless our Troops, and God bless our Veterans.

I’ll see you all at the Lodge. 

Ron

Hello Spring, and my favorite month of May. As the spring brings new life, this year’s super bloom is evidence of that; it also brings with it new opportunities for our Lodge members to give back to our community and to those that we have committed to serve. 

There are many ways for us to be charitable. Our committees are always looking for new members. Joining a committee only requires one hour a month for meetings, yet brings so many new ideas and possibilities for fundraising at our Lodge.

When we are first initiated, we are all so excited and enthusiastic about giving back to our community and those in need. Let’s get that feeling back again! Volunteering is why we are all here. Only YOU can make it happen.

Looking forward to your thoughts and ideas. Let’s make sure that our Lodge continues to be the best Lodge in Arizona, and together, we can make that happen. 

Bonni

I hope everyone had a good Memorial Day. 

To all of you who are Dads, I want to wish you a Happy Father’s Day!

We are off to a good start this fiscal year with new and transferring members.
Let’s keep it going! 

There are still several who have not paid their dues for this year. I will be reaching out to the proposers of these members for help to see why. I also have a few who have told me they will sadly not be renewing. If you know someone who is on the fence about renewing, please do what you can do to find out why and correct the situation if possible.

LODGE STATS YEAR-TO-DATE

Membership to Date 572

Candidates  7

Delinquents  63

Life Members  64

Average Age  70

“Dads are most ordinary men turned by love into
heroes, adventurers, storytellers and singer of song.” 

–Unknown

“A Dad is someone who wants to catch you when you fall. Instead, he picks you up, brushes you off,
and lets you try again.

–Unknown

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