Please reserve the date of Monday, May 27, 2013 to join in our Flemington Memorial Day Parade. In honor of all Veterans who have sacrificed in defense of our freedom. We encourage all members, the Lodge Auxiliary, their partners, teenage children and others to please participate. Our meeting point is on Church Street in the Strip Mall adjacent to Walgreen's Pharmacy @ 9:15 AM. The Parade kicks off at 10:00 AM and ends at the Monuments on Main Street where ceremonial events take place. The preferred manner of dress is black slacks or skirts, white shirts or blouses and comfortable black footwear. Following the parade we will return to the Lodge where food and soft drinks will be provided at no cost.

Please look for the sign up sheet in the entrance foyer of the Lodge or contact me at 908-735-5460 or e-mail at m.n.fanelli@comcast.net. Let's salute our heroes with a great turnout.

Thank you!

Mauro N. Fanelli, PER
National Veterans Service Chairman

Army of Hope Report:
I have great news on Tim S. and his struggle to get his long overdue benefits. On Good Friday, he met with the head of the Compensation Department for his review of benefit claims. He has been rewarded with 100% on his PTSD and awaits their decision on his TBI, damaged knees from an IED and the shrapnel wounds to his back and side. The VA has up to 60 days to start the monthly benefit checks, so he has to still struggle for the next month or two BUT there is finally a bright positive light at the end of his tunnel. He will be awarded his Purple Heart by US Congressman Scott Garrett at a future date and asked me IF it would be possible to hold the event at our Lodge. I think it would be an HONOR for our Lodge to participate in this event and I will be talking to the Trustees to secure our Lodge once a date is confirmed. A "special" THANK YOU to Betty for the personal donation to assist Tim S. He was very moved by your touching gift.

Finally, I could not end this article without mentioning the passing of a good friend, great Elk and strong supporter of the Army of Hope committee and the multiple projects that we undertook. Doug Rogers will be missed and it will be impossible to replace all that he did with just one person. At any given time, he was always there to lend a hand or to run a function for the Lodge, Special Children's Committee, Veterans or the Army of Hope. First a friend and then a brother Elk…Sleep well, My Brother…Peace be with you

GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS, VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES

Bruce R. Totten - PDD
Army of Hope Chairman

Americanism Report:
Memorial Day will be here before you know it. For those of you that have yet to purchase a Flag to proudly display in front of your house, condo, town house or apartment it's not too late to show your pride, patriotism and to thank our veterans and present day troops for their sacrifices that allow us the very Freedoms to be able to display our gratitude.

To all those that have served…THANK YOU…THANK YOU…THANK YOU

Without your service and dedication I would not be writing this article today or would you be reading it FREELY..

Bruce R. Totten - PDD
Americanism Committee Chairman

For More Information, consult our Grand Lodge site: http://www.elks.org/vets/

Also to Find out more about the Elks National Veterans Memorial, click here!

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