To the Journal editor:

A Little History of Veterans Day.

Before World War II, November 11th was originally called Armistice Day, marking the end of World War I.

When fighting ceased in November 1918, President Woodrow Wilson gave General John Pershing, American Expeditionary Force Commander of WWI and a lifelong Elk member, the honor of setting the exact moment that the Armistice would forever be marked.

Pershing selected the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month- his personal tribute to the memory of those soldiers, Elks and non-Elks alike who had fallen.

More than 70,000 Elks served in the armed forces during World War I. More than 1,000 made the supreme sacrifice.

In 1917 the Grand Lodge of Elks allocated $2 million to finance efforts to assist U.S. soldiers. The Order organized and equipped the first two base hospitals in France.

And to accommodate the maimed and wounded, the Elks built a 700-bed hospital and gave it to the War Department in 1918. This was the first of what were to become the Veterans Administration medical facilities.

Our motto is “So Long as There are Veterans, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks will Never Forget Them”.

The hour of 11 has long held significance to the Elks. To this day, at any evening Elks even, all activity ceases, members and guests rise. the chimes ring 11 times and the “Eleven O’clock Toast “is received.

“You have heard the tolling of 11 strokes.

This is to remind us that with Elks, the hour of 11 has a tender significance.

Wherever Elks may roam, whatever their lot in life may be, when this hour falls upon the dial

of night, the great heart of Elkdom swells and throbs.

It is the golden hour of recollection, the homecoming of those that wonder, the mystic roll

call of those who will come no more

Living or dead, Elks are never forgotten, never forsaken.

Morning and noon may pass them by, the light of day sink heedlessly in the west, bit ere the

Shadows of midnight shall fall, the chimes of memory will be peeling forth the friendly message,

‘To our absent members.'”

DAVID SLADEK

State President

Michigan Elks Association