Elks Lodge 2540 honors vets
“Freedom is not Free” was the underlying theme of this year’s 2nd annual Veteran’s Recognition Dinner held at the Cape Henlopen Elks Lodge 2540 in Lewes Nov. 11. With 150 people in attendance, veterans and their families shared laughter, love, heartfelt stories and emotional experiences with one another throughout the evening. Guests were treated to a happy hour and dinner, as well as music, speeches and more. “This is one of most important things we do all year,” shared Ralph Patterson, president of Cape Henlopen Lodge 2540. “We appreciate the sacrifices our veterans have made and want to honor their courage and achievements.”
This celebration dinner was organized by the Elks through its Veterans Committee, chaired by Lt. Cmdr. Thomas Volatile. It was their second annual dinner, and “we plan to continue honoring our veterans in this way for many years to come” added Patterson.
“The service members we are honoring tonight, on Veterans Day come from all walks of life,” shared Volatile in his address to the veterans, “but you all share several fundamental qualities…courage, pride, determination, selflessness, dedication to duty, and integrity…all the qualities needed to serve a cause large than one’s self.”
Just a few highlights of this special evening included a piper, Lani Spahr, from Lewes, whose impressive entrance into the room as he piped "When the battle's o'er" and of course "Amazing Grace," brought many tears to those in attendance, and vocalist Joy Shreck performed an array of patriotic songs. Additional patriotic music was provided by Shermanater during dinner and throughout the evening
A special invited guest speaker, John C. Loftus, president of the Maryland, Delaware and District of Columbia Elks Association, shared his gratitude in a speech to the veterans, telling them what an honor it was for him to be speaking to them at his special occasion, and thanked them each for their service to this country. The association consists of 37 Elks Lodges with nearly 20,000 members throughout Maryland, Delaware and Washington, D.C. Nationally, the Elks have over 1,800 lodges with nearly 900,000 members.
In addition to this annual dinner, the Cape Henlopen Elks Lodge is very active throughout the community, assisting veterans in need through funding and material contributions. In the past the organization has supported several veterans organizations, including The Home of the Brave, Del Tech’s Veteran’s Resource Center as well as their Veterans Scholarship Fund.
In closing his address to the veterans, Volatile shared a quote by Abraham Lincoln, “Some people live an entire lifetime and wonder if they have ever made a difference in the world. A veteran does not have that problem.”
The Cape Henlopen Elks Lodge 2540 is a charitable and fraternal organization serving Sussex County since 1975.
