Sanford Elks Lodge #1679 “Support Our Troops Program”
Shoe Box Project

One way the Sanford Elks Lodge helps support our troops is being involved with the “Shoe Box Project”.  We just wanted to share with you some of the thank you notes we have received back from the troops in appreciation for the gifts we’ve helped provide.

Thank You Notes

To All, Thank you so much for the shoe box treats!  We LOVED them!  It warms my heart knowing we are supported for the sacrifices we make.  It is hard being away from home and our loved ones, but opening that shoe box filled with treats and prayers filled my heart.  Thank you for taking the time.  Please continue to pray for our troops!!

Angel Ledesma, CPT, USA

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I wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you for taking the time and care to provide care packages for our unit.  Your thoughtfulness and kindness in supporting Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Guardsmen makes the duty that we do much easier to bear.  Indeed it is gratifying to know that good people such as yourselves are out there and giving of your time to provide such generous gifts.

Please let everyone in your congregation know just how much we appreciate your gesture.  A little reminder of home is always encouraging.

I would like to especially thank the Berean Sunday School Class.  Your pictures are enjoyed by all.

Very Respectfully,
Chief Charles Pierce
CTG 67.8
Djibouti, Africa

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To all,
On behalf of the Logistics office with Seal Team 8, we would like to thank all of you for the goody box.  It’s because of people like you all that makes our job easier.  Thanks again and God bless.

V/r,
Martina Gill

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Dear Fellow Americans,
On behalf of myself and my team which is currently deployed to Afghanistan we wanted to say Thank You very much for the personal comfort items that you have donated and volunteered your time to package and send out to us.  We can’t tell you how much it means to us to have a small slice of home with us as we carry on our daily tasks and continue to bring the fight to the enemy.  Please take comfort in knowing that your packages were well received and the letters from you and the school children are displayed prominently throughout our workspaces so as not to forget the reasons for which we are here.  Please pass our sincere thanks to ALL involved and special mention to the following people and organizations:

The Berean Sunday School Class of Pocket Presbyterian Church
Pocket Presbyterian Church
Goldston Methodist Church
The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Sanford Elks Lodge 1679
DHD, CWO US Army Retired
Carol Smith, Southern Pines
Beth and Dick Rodda, Vass NC
Dr. Craig Allison E DDS PA, Pinehurst NC
Dr. David Fisher, DDS, Sanford, NC
Dr. Vance Denning DDSPA, Sanford, NC
Lee County PTO Thrift Store, Sanford, NC
Mc Donald’s Laughing Ladies Club, Sanford, NC
Sagebrush Steakhouse, Sanford, NC

Sincerely,
Michael Addaman
Master Chief, US Navy
Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan

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Hello,
Just wanted to drop a note to thank you all for the generosity you exhibited in sending care packages to us in Afghanistan.  It’s amazing to get such nice packages from people we don’t even know, yet take time out of their day to buy us goodies, pray for us and write notes.  It is appreciated beyond anything you can imagine.

Thanks for your continued support!
Vr
Anthony Costanza , Capt, USAF
Task Force Comptroller
DSN:  312-383-3106
NIPR: TFRM@jdi.socom.mil
SIPR: T1RM@soc.smil.mil

Sanford Elks Lodge #1679 July 4th Celebration

Flag Day Breakfast at the Sanford Elks Lodge

Sanford Elks Lodge #1679 celebrated Flag Day by hosting a community breakfast which was held in the Elks’ Lodge room. Scott Pace, Past State President of the NC Elks association (PSP), gave the welcoming remarks to those that attended followed by a

prayer from David Riddle, Past Exalted Ruler (PER). David Riddle III, Past District Deputy to the Grand Exalted Ruler (PDDGER) then presented the history of the Flags while each of the flags was display in the background.

After reading the history of the Flag, Mr. Pace then introduced our guest speaker of the morning, Mr. D. Steve Gunter, PSP. In additions to once serving as State President of the NC Elks association, Mr. Gunter has served on many committees at the local, state and national levels, including serving as a special representative for the Grand Lodge.  Mr. Gunter’s speech included why the American Flag was so important to the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks as well as himself.

The Flag Day ceremony was concluded by the raising of the Flag while member Eugene Cottrell played Reveille and The Star Spangled Banner on his trumpet.

Presidential Proclamation: Flag Day and National Flag Week

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Presidential Proclamation: Flag Day and National Flag Week
A Presidential Proclamation: Flag Day and National Flag Week 2010

When the Second Continental Congress adopted the American flag on June 14, 1777, the thirteen stripes alternating red and white, and thirteen white stars in a blue field, represented “a new constellation.”

On Flag Day, and throughout National Flag Week, we celebrate its lasting luminosity, and the enduring American story that it represents.

Although the configuration of stars and stripes has changed over the years it has been flown, its significance and symbolism have not wavered. The flag that once helped unite a new nation to confront tyranny and oppression still flies today as an unequivocal emblem of freedom and liberty. The same flag that has been raised on beaches and battlefields still adorns the uniforms of our heroic sons and daughters serving in America’s armed forces, including our troops serving in harm’s way in Iraq and Afghanistan.

This past year, that same flag has continued to soar. When our American Olympic and Paralympics athletes were positioned triumphantly on the podiums of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, our majestic flag flew high above them. From homes to classrooms, civic gatherings to private memorials, we gathered to salute our flag, and in doing so, renewed the eternal promise of this glorious nation.

More than 220 years after Old Glory was first embraced by our Founders, the Stars and Stripes remain the symbol of our nation’s pride. On Flag Day and during National Flag Week we recognize the American flag as a symbol of hope and inspiration to people at home and around the world – as a constellation which grows brighter with every achievement earned and sacrifice borne by one of our citizens.

To commemorate the adoption of our flag, the Congress, by joint resolution approved August 3, 1949, as amended (63 Stat. 492), designated June 14 of each year as “Flag Day” and requested that the president issue an annual proclamation calling for its observance and for the display of the flag of the United States on all federal government buildings. The Congress also requested, by joint resolution approved June 9, 1966, as amended (80 Stat. 194), that the president annually issue a proclamation designating the week in which June 14 occurs as “National Flag Week” and call upon citizens of the United States to display the flag during that week.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim June 14, 2010, as Flag Day and the week beginning June 13, 2010, as National Flag Week. I direct the appropriate officials to display the flag on all federal government buildings during that week, and I urge all Americans to observe Flag Day and National Flag Week by displaying the flag. I also call upon the people of the United States to observe with pride and all due ceremony those days from Flag Day through Independence Day, also set aside by the Congress (89 Stat. 211), as a time to honor America, to celebrate our heritage in public gatherings and activities, and to publicly recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this eleventh day of June, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth. — Barack Obama

“I Am Your Flag”
(Author Unknown GL Americanism Manual BPOE Code 51200)

Some people call me Old Glory, others call me the Star Spangled Banner, but whatever they call me, I am your Flag — the Flag of the United States of America.

Something has been bothering me, so I thought I might talk it over with you, because you see, it is about you and me.

I remember some time ago people lined up on both sides of the street to watch the parade and, naturally, I was leading every parade, proudly waving in the breeze. When your daddy saw me coming, he immediately removed his hat and placed it against his left shoulder so that his hand was directly over his heart — remember?

What happened? I’m still the same old Flag. Oh, I have a few more stars since you were a boy and a lot more blood has been shed since those parades of long ago.

But now I don’t feel as proud as I used to. When I come down your street and you just stand there with your hands in your pockets, I may get a small glance and then you look away. Then I see children running around and shouting — they don’t seem to know who I am.

I saw a man take his hat off, then look around. He didn’t see anybody else with theirs off, so he quickly put it back on. And what about that night at the ball game, when they played the “Star Spangled Banner” and I waved so proudly in the breeze, but nobody bothered to sing? Oh, they stood up, all right, as sort of a mild patriotic gesture, but then they talked among themselves about the game and weather, but they did not sing. I felt hurt.

Is it a sin to be patriotic? Have you forgotten what I stand for and where I have been? Anzio, Guadacanal, Korea, Vietnam, and Persian Gulf. Take a look at the memorial honor rolls sometime — names of those who never came back — who gave their lives to keep this republic free.

One nation, under God. When you salute me, you are saluting them.

I may not be coming down your street for a long time, as it seems that patriotic parades are a thing of the past. But when I do, will you do me a big favor?

Stand up straight, place your right hand over your heart, and if they play the “Star Spangled Banner,” sing out loud and clear. I will salute you by waving back.. Show me you remember.

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THAD EURE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD: This is an award by the North Carolina Elks Association that is not given freely or necessarily annually unless an Elk merits its high standards. Among our own, we have a member who has served in all capacities within our Lodge.  On a state level he has served on numerous committees including State President.  On the Grand Lodge level he has served on committees and still serves as a Special Representative to the Grand Exalted Ruler.  Outside of the Elks he has been and still is an active member of our community in many ways.  It has been my greatest honor and privilege as Exalted Ruler of the Sanford Elks Lodge to serve on a committee that nominated one of our most valued members.  Please join me in congratulating Lee Littiken who has attained the level of the Thad Eure Distinguished Service Award presented at the 2010 State Spring Convention .







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Member-Guest Charity Golf Tournament Results

Click here to see photos

 

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