Elks Lodge Honors Veterans with Lunch

NORTH WILDWOOD – The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks have many causes but none is more important to members than honoring American veterans. Elks Lodge 1896 demonstrated that concern with their annual lunch for veterans held at the lodge.
With entertainment from the Wildwood High School choir and a visit from Santa, veterans from all across the local area were treated to lunch and thanked for their service and sacrifices on behalf of the country.
One group of veterans was bused in from the New Jersey Veterans Memorial Home in Vineland. A number of mostly Vietnam War veterans attended. Those vets had formed their own support group after meeting at the Cape May VA outpatient clinic. It is an association that one described as “veterans helping veterans.” Veterans representing service in all of America’s wars from World War II through the more recent engagements in Iraq and Afghanistan were present.
The Elks lodge that hosted the event is the second largest of 113 lodges in the state. To underscore the importance Elks place on activities for veterans, officials from the state organization, including the state President Peter Smith, and past President Bill Oakley joined the luncheon. The local lodge is the Southern Region, one of 12 districts for Elks lodges in the state.
Presented with the opportunity to educate high school students about the sacrifices made by the country’s veterans, Charlie Feeney, organizer of the event, had the students distributed across the tables so each would sit with veterans and their families.
Vincent Dinielenko of Medford, a World War II veteran, recounted tales of his experience in the Pacific theater during the war. Dinielenko entered the service at age 18 shortly after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. One could see the students grapple with the concept of his service in a war that was 70 years in the past.
As the choir opened the lunch with a rendition of the national anthem, veterans saluted the flag even through many were wheelchair bound. A simple American meal of meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and peas was available as well as hot dogs, hamburgers and french fries. A number of Elks and supporters were on hand to ensure the veterans were served. For many students it was a unique exposure to living history.
A lodge officer, Gordon Jones, noted that in the past Elks hosted a similar holiday meal for Coast Guard cadets, but that experience ended when the Coast Guard and the Red Cross began Operation Fireside and placed young recruits with local families for the holidays.
The Elks maintain their commitment to veterans throughout the year with Flag Day events and even a cookout at the memorial home in Vineland.
To contact Vince Conti, email vconti@cmcherald.com.