Cape Henlopen Elks hold memorial for departed members

Every year on the first Sunday in December, Cape Henlopen Elks Lodge holds its memorial ritual and ceremony to remember those members who passed in the previous 12 months. It is open to the public, and family members and friends of the departed were welcomed by officers and members of the Lewes lodge Dec. 3 for the annual ceremony.

Exalted Ruler Joy Schreck opened the ceremony with a brief statement, followed by a prayer from acting chaplain and Past Exalted Ruler Ralph Patterson. Lodge Secretary Joanne Mayer, PER, solemnly read the names of each of the 19 departed members while Patterson and trustee Kelly Barber lit the ceremonial candles representing each of the missing members. Then, Past Exalted Ruler Gary Eckenrode recited the poem, “The Vacant Chair.”

Part of the ritual involves the placing of flower sprigs upon the Bible: the forget-me-not symbolizes charity, the amaranth symbolizes justice and immortality as one of the oldest plants in the nation, and clinging ivy symbolizes brotherly love.

Once again this year, a beautiful slide-show of the departed was shown, created by Leading Knight Buddy Hall-McBride. It was well received, with some guests taking photos of the screenshots showing their beloved.

The service continued with the Eleventh Hour Toast, and the reading, “What Is an Elk?” by Hall-McBride, followed by the emotional song “In the Arms of an Angel” sung by Schreck, and a light luncheon prepared and served by volunteers.

This annual ceremony, although brief, is required by all Elks to remember absent brothers and sisters. “Rather than have tearful eyes today, our hearts will be filled with happy recollections of their lives and service,” said Schreck. “It is a heartfelt ceremony for us all.”