We First Joined The Elks In 1975 And Then Re-Joined In 2007
Mission - To inculcate the principles of Charity, Justice, Brotherly Love and Fidelity; to recognize a belief in God; to promote the welfare and enhance the happiness of its Members; to quicken the spirit of American patriotism; to cultivate good fellowship; to perpetuate itself as a fraternal organization, and to provide for its government, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the United States of America will serve the people and communities through benevolent programs, demonstrating that Elks Care and Elks Share.
In our local area we have several Elks Lodges but we frequent the San Pedro Elks, Santa Ana Elks , Fullerton, and Garden Grove Elks.
We have met such nice friends there and totally enjoy of visits and participation.
Our Home Lodge: Santa Ana, Lodge Number 794
My wife of 32 years and I spent a lot of time at the Elks joining in on their activities including dancing. Most of our friends are Elks and we enjoyed their company.
Sue and Paul at the Santa Ana Elks for a dinner dance
Sue passed in February 2020 and I was alone for several months until Jan Mongell suggested I call Dr. Mary Cótê; she was also alone.
We had our first meeting (we had dinner at Patty's Place in Seal Beach) on July 28th 2020 and where married one year later July 29th 2021. We were not strangers to each other having know each through the Starlighters for two decades.
Mary loved to dance and she was familiar with the Elks so we went to the Santa Ana Elks for an event. A few months later, Mary became an Elk at Lodge 794, Santa Ana.
For the past fouryears, I have gone to "Girls Night Out" every Thursday and Mary joined in when she retired form the VA in 2021. We are "regulars!" We started going there on July 14th, 2020 at the insistence of by brother by another mother, Bob Z. He wanted me out of the house and here we are.
We made a great team at the 1950s Sock Hop!
Dressed to the nine's
Mrs Claus having a great time!
Our First Grandson To Become An Elk
Nick becomes an Elk and he officially and single-handidly lowered the average age 0.2 years!! His dad, Bob Duda, is an Elk also!
Grandson just became an Elk!
Colleen Becomes An Elk!
Our baby daughter becomes and Elk also!
Colleen joined us for a rousing evening.
The Hour of Recollection
Deceased and otherwise absent lodge members are recalled each evening at 11 pm. when the lodge esquire intones, "It is the Hour of Recollection." The exalted ruler or a member designated by him gives the 11 o'clock toast, of which this version is the most common:
"You have heard the tolling of eleven strokes. This is to remind you that with Elks, the hour of eleven has a tender significance. Wherever Elks may roam, whatever their lot in life may be, when this hour tolls upon the dial of night, the great heart of Elkdom swells and throbs. It is the golden hour of recollection, the homecoming of those who wander, the mystic roll call of those who will come no more. Living or dead, an Elk is never forgotten, never forsaken. Morning and noon may pass him by, the light of day sink heedlessly into the west. But ere the shadows of midnight shall fall, the chimes of memory shall be pealing forth the friendly message: To our absent members."
Think About Becomming A Member?
Membership: The Order is a non-political, non-sectarian and strictly American fraternity. Proposal for membership in the Order is only by invitation of a member in good standing. To be accepted as a member, one must be an American citizen, believe in God, be of good moral character and be at least 21 years old
1. PROPOSAL FOR MEMBERSHIP: You can be sponsored by any member in good standing from any lodge in the country. You'll also need two other Elks who will be your references. The Elk who proposes you for membership can provide you with a paper copy of the Membership Application, or both of you can use the online application, print and sign. Please follow all the instructions and answer all the questions. Once the app. is completed it can be emailed to the Lodge Secretary (email below) along with the proof of payment of the application fee.2. THE PROCESS BEGINS: Your application will be read at a regular Lodge meeting and your name will be posted in our newsletter.
3. INTERVIEWS: Your application will then be forwarded to the Membership Investigating Committee, who will contact you to set up a time for you and your sponsor to meet with the committee. At that meeting both of you will be interviewed. You will also be informed during the interview the date you will be Initiated as a Member.
4. LODGE VOTE: After the interview is concluded, the committee will report to the Lodge concerning your membership. The proposed new member will be given notice of not less than 10 days nor more than two months before the lodge vote will be taken.
5. ORIENTATION: When the vote is concluded, you will be notified and asked to present yourself and your spouse for Orientation. Your Elk sponsor (and their spouse) will also attend the Orientation to introduce you. During this time, you will learn more about the Order's programs and charities.
6. INITIATION CEREMONY Only the proposed candidates and Elk members can attend the Initiation Ceremony. (Your Elk sponsor must also attend the initiation ceremony). After your Initiation you will receive your membership card. You can now partake in all meetings and social functions.