Elks and Scouts Mark Flag Day

Flag Day Celebrated by Scouts and Elks

An intergenerational ceremony marked Flag Day at West Orange Elks Lodge #1590. The Officers of the Lodge were joined by Scouts from Liberty Middle School, Pequannock High School, West Orange High School and their adult Scout Leaders.

A crowd of 40+ people of all ages gathered in the Elks Hall and rose to their feet as the National Anthem was played. The ceremony was called to order by ER Cathy Lodge, who was flanked by Elks Officers in tuxedos.

As Lodge read the history of each of the historic American flags that preceded the Stars and Stripes, Butch Melhorn guided the line-up of uniformed scouts who solemnly carried the flags to their ceremonial positions.

Participating scouts included: Marcus Graves, Michael Jaranillo, Spencer Brown, Luis Cacahuaray, Luke Clayton, and Sean Fournier. Scout leaders were Tim Brennan, Jack Dean, Nikki DeVita and scout supporter, Vincent Gonnella.

After the procession of flags, Elk James Cowen gave a poignant speech about the flag of the United States of America and our need for it, as it, “...is emblematic of justice for all.”

At the closing of the brief and benevolent ceremony, everyone was invited to enjoy some pizza, soft drinks and good company.

In July of 1908, the Elks’ Grand Lodge provided for the annual nationwide observance of Flag Day. Flag Day was established by a proclamation by President Woodrow Wilson in 1916. Flag Day was not a national observance until 1949—President Harry Truman, himself an Elks member, was inspired through his Lodge in Independence Missouri, to sign an act of Congress that dedicated June 14 to the symbol of our country.

The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks has made more than 12 Billion in donations since we first started 153 years ago. Last year alone, the Elks donated approximately $300 million in cash, gifts and time to make our communities better places to live. The Elks are one of the premier patriotic and charitable organizations in the United States of America.

Annually, the Elks award college scholarships across the nation totaling more than $4.5 million.

There are more than 1,900 Elks Lodges across the country with a total membership nearing 800,000.

The West Orange Lodge has contributed more than $9 million to our local West Orange community since our establishment in 1932. We support numerous scholarships, returning Veterans, Camp Moore (a summer camp for special needs children) and answering the call for local needs and initiatives. For more information about West Orange Lodge #1590, please visit our Facebook page “West Orange Elks #1590.”