Elks 6’s Linda Van Gundy, who oversaw the Blue Star Moms collection, goes over some items with the Blue Star Moms President Debbie Konvalin. Photo courtesy of Elks 6

SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - “So long as there are veterans, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks will never forget them.” Thousands of Elk volunteers give generously of their time, energy, and resources to serve veterans and military members each day, to ensure that pledge is not an idle one.

For members of Sacramento Elks Lodge 6 it is a full year of dedication and service to honor our veterans.  This year’s activities were recently highlighted by the Elk’s Veterans Appreciation Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, November 10. Steve Spriggs acted as MC, and he is the lodge Veterans Chair.

The guest speaker, Sacramento County Veterans Service Officer Rochelle Arnold, addressed the attendees by presenting a brief overview of services available and assistance offered by the Sacramento County Veterans Services Office Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Her phone number is (916) 854-8900.

Sacramento County Veterans Service Officer Rochelle Arnold answers questions at the Elks 6’s Veterans Appreciation Luncheon. Photo courtesy of Elks 6

Elks 6’s Linda Van Gundy, who is a past lodge Veterans Chair and past Northern-Central District Veterans Chair, said the mission of the county office is, “To promote the interests, health and welfare of veterans, their dependents, as well as their survivors.” The veterans were offered the opportunity to ask questions and make appointments for personal guidance.

The luncheon was the culmination of Elks 6’s veteran support activities. The lodge collected and signed over a thousand holiday cards for distribution to men and women receiving care at the VA Medical Center at Mather, California.

Elks 6 had a care package drive that started October 19, and ended with the Vets Appreciation Luncheon on November 10. They had a barrel outside the Elks’ office to receive items on their wish list. The list included such items as tuna, chili, nuts, protein bars, jerky, trail mix, drink enhancers, batteries, razors, deodorant, wipes, lip balm,
puzzle books, and games.

They took their collected items to a military care-package packing event on Saturday, November 18, at the Roseville Veterans Memorial Hall from 9 a.m. until noon.

In conjunction with Sacramento Blue Star Moms the lodge donated snacks, personal care supplies, puzzle books, games, canned meats and drink enhancers to be included in the BSM care packing Event. It provided a
little bit of home in 400 boxes to be sent to men and women deployed overseas this holiday season.

Linda Van Lundy, who is a dedicated Elks 6 veterans volunteer, oversaw the Blue Star Moms collection and the Christmas Card Drive.

Sacramento Elks also had forty welcome-home baskets filled with supplies to assist soldiers and their families as they adjust to settlement in the area. The lodge purchased the contents for the baskets through an Elks National Foundation Grant. Dayna Schilling oversaw the welcome-home baskets for unhoused veterans moving into
permanent housing. Schilling said, “Each basket included a coffeemaker and new pillow, which are the two most requested items. The baskets also had household and toiletry supplies.”

The luncheon had a video presentation of the patriotic song, “My Name is America,” by Todd Allen Heredeen. It is one of the top-50 most patriotic country songs. Linda Van Gundy, who is an Elks 6 dedicated veterans volunteer, said, “It sings of the values for which America stands.”

PER Stephen B. Clazie read the poem “Just a Common Soldier,” which is also known by “A Soldier Died Today.” World War II veteran Lawrence Vaincourt wrote his popular poem “Just a Common Soldier” out of sadness
and frustration with the way Canada’s shrinking number of veterans were treated by the government. It was first published in his 1987 Remembrance Day newspaper column. Clazie read the version that Lawrence Vaincourt’s son Randy says is the original.

Besides this luncheon and other veteran support activities, Elks 6’s recently hosted a Tribute to Fallen Soldiers Memorial Torch Motorcycle Ride visit. James Shearer coordinated Elks 6’s participation, and the lodge held a dinner on Wednesday, September 28th, for the group. While staying at the Sacramento Elks Lodge 6 the Motorcycle Ride Tribute had visits with three Gold Star families in the Sacramento Area.

Linda Van Gundy, James Shearer, and Martin Gisler watch the closing ceremonies of the Tribute to Fallen Soldiers Memorial Torch Motorcycle Ride at Elks 6. Photo courtesy of Elks 6

Warren Williamson, who is the leader of the Fallen Soldiers Tribute, noted the service at Elks 6 was for Army Staff Sergeant Christopher Ivan Roberts, a 2007 graduate of John F. Kennedy High School. He served with Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment as a “centurion.” In the United States Army a “centurion” is roughly equivalent to a captain.

Williamson also said, “It was our ambition to honor each and every one of these fallen service members to graciously acknowledge their service and sacrifice and to remind each Gold Star family their fallen service member wasn’t forgotten.”

Elks 6’s Leading Knight Sue Hill said, “We can be very proud of the many lodge members who have participated in these veteran projects.”