In addition to our support of meals, visits and Bingo here in the Conejo Valley below you will find a little history on the involvement of the BPOE and the Veterans.
In 1917, the world was at war. The Order of Elks was only 49 years old. In April of that year, Grand Exalted Ruler Edward Rightor appointed a committee to study what the Order of Elks should do in this crisis to assist the Veterans. The Committee was ordered to present its findings to the Grand Lodge Session in Boston that July.
Today, with numerous Veterans Programs that continue to grow as the need changes, thousands of Elks and their families give generously of their time, energy and resources to the veterans so that the lives of our ill and aging veterans will be enhanced. Hundreds of thousands of hours and like numbers of dollars are devoted to programs that are designed to keep us true to our pledge: "So long as there are veterans, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks will never forget them".
On November 1, 2009, the Thousand Oaks Lodge 2477 hosted a brunch in honor of U.S. Veterans.
This is the true story of Sam Winer, one of our visiting veterans, as told by himself, of being shot down in Germany during World War II, and after his bomber was split in two lengthwise,
...what happened after that....
The Elks have pledged not to forget hospitalized veterans, and each year they visit hundreds of thousands of patients at VA medical centers and veteran’s hospitals, hosting parties and providing companionship. And they invite patients who can leave the facilities to events at Elks Lodges, on fishing trips, and to ball games, and more.
