Gateway Elks honors veterans | East Portland Oregon Newspaper



MEMO BLOG	Memo Calendar	Memo Pad	Business Memos	Loaves & Fishes	Letters	Home



FEATURE ARTICLES

		Eastminster gives homeless families warming shelter

		MEMORABLE MENUS

		Airport Plan hearing postponed

		Parkrose Community Thanksgiving dinner becomes reality

		Fall Mid-county school sports round up

		Perlman's Potpourri: Half city's share of property taxes pays pensions, urban renewal

		Gateway Elks honor veterans, active duty

		Parkrose Chateau welcomes American Legion veterans

		New Gateway Park design proposed

		Spirit awards recognize east Portland work

		About the MEMO
		MEMO Archives
		MEMO Advertising
		MEMO Country (Map)
		MEMO Web Neighbors
		MEMO Staff
		MEMO BLOG

© 2010 Mid-county MEMO
Terms & Conditions

Gateway Elks honor veterans, active duty

TIM CURRAN
THE MID-COUNTY MEMO

The Lewis and Clark Young Marines re-enact the World War II flag raising on Iwo Jima's Mt. Surabachi at the Gateway Elks Lodge's 9th Annual Day to Honor Veterans last month.
MEMO PHOTO TIM CURRAN

For nine years, Gateway Elks Lodge #2411 Veterans Committee has produced and presented a show honoring and recognizing veterans and active duty members of the United States Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard.

Last month it did it again, opening its doors to over 250 people for this year's show featuring Martial Music, the 13-step folding of the flag ceremony, military presentations and an appearance by the Lewis and Clark Young Marines. In preparation, organizer Tony Lopez, and members of the Veterans Committee fanned out across the Metro area to nursing homes and hospitals to invite veterans to attend. Many guests took home door prizes from local merchants.

Lopez said it all began when he and another ex-Marine, the lodge's manager at the time, wanted to have a party on the Corps' birthday, Nov. 10, the day before Veterans Day.

They didn't have a lot of time to organize that first one, but did have a lot of friends and veterans connections enabling them to get 250 at the lodge to celebrate all veterans.

The following year, when Lopez became chair of the lodge's veterans committee, he knew exactly how to shape the event going forward.

A few years ago, at its peak, the event drew nearly 400 people.

Over the years among others, a 108-year old World War I veteran of trench warfare (since deceased), Silver Star and Bronze Star recipients, World War II veterans regularly attend.

Each month, the members of the Veterans Committee visit the Portland VA Medical Center and spend quality time with patients. They arrange bingo games; supply snacks and prizes, and generally keep the hospitalized veterans entertained. Lodge members fund these efforts by recycling cardboard and glass. Collection bins are located at the lodge, 711 N.E. 100th Ave.

At Christmas time they provide entertainment, bring blankets, presents, juice, coffee and other goodies to veterans at both the Portland VA Medical Center and its Vancouver Annex.

For more information about the Elks Veterans Committee, or to donate, call Lopez at 503-256-4552. To learn about the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks in general, call the Gateway Elks Lodge at 503-255-6535 or visit www.gatewayelks.com.