Mission Viejo / Saddleback Valley Elks Lodge No. 2444 (“Elks Lodge”) held its Flag Day ceremony amidst a backdrop of American and military flags. The American Flags represented our country’s history from the revolutionary war’s “Don’t Tread on Me” Flag to the current American Flag which was posted by Boy Scout Troop 603 to begin the ceremony. After the welcome by Leading Knight Derek Randles, the hymns of the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard were played. As a military flag was presented and posted, veterans of that services flag that were in the audience stood to the attendee’s applause. The MIA flag was also flown next to the military flags. Guest speaker for the day was Dave Leckness, Mission Viejo city councilman. After his patriotic speech, Elk Member Dennis Lumley spoke of his experience as a combat Army veteran and his feelings about the American Flag. Past Exalted Ruler and Master of Ceremony Jim Humphrey then recognized and presented certificates to Richard McCormick and Kyle Krempa, both of Laguna Hills, for flying the American Flag 24 hours each day. Following this presentation, Elk Members and military veterans Bill Bongartz and Dennis Lumley folded an American Flag while Derek Randles explained the meaning of each of the thirteen folds. Taps, the singing of God Bless America and the benediction closed the program. The Mission Viejo / Saddleback Elks Lodge No. 2444, celebrating forty-three (43) years of service to the Saddleback Valley communities, is one of ten lodges in the Orange Coast District of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (BPOE) whose headquarters is in Chicago, Illinois. The BPOE is a charitable organization with a 145 year history of giving, “Elks Care, Elks Share.” Hal Mattson, Lodge Publicity Mission Viejo / Saddleback Valley Elks Lodge No. 2444
