Minnesota Elks Veterans Service

10/10/2026

We had a very successful Veterans with Disabilities Deer Hunt with the Minnesota Veterans Outdoor Programs.
Not so high on deer counts, as we only got one 8-pointer by archery and one doe by vehicle, but the camaraderie and fellowship was well enjoyed.
Rikki Hilgemann from Hutchinson Elks Lodge #2427 and Herman Wisneski of the Brainerd Elks Lodge helped in the Hangar preparing the meals. Our State President Timothy Johnson and PGER Paul R Ryan along with several other Elks members, helped as Partners in the field.
50 Veterans spent the 3 days enjoying the back yard of Camp Ripley, but the odds were in the favor of the deer this year!
Fun time was had by all during this Outdoor Recreational Therapy Event.
A huge Thank You to the Minnesota Elks Association, and to all the Lodges that support these events! You Make a Difference in the lives of these Veterans!
Also, a very special Thank You to Tim Krouth of St. Cloud Elks Lodge 2843 for all of his assistance.

(Photos compliments of Rikki!)

09/25/2026

September 27, 2026 - Half-Staff Alert -
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz directed all United States and Minnesota flags at state buildings to be flown at half-staff from sunrise until sunset on Sunday, September 27, to honor Minnesota firefighters killed in the line of duty. This order occurs annually in honor of Minnesota Fallen Firefighters Memorial Day.

“Minnesota’s firefighters answer the call with courage, skill, and an unwavering commitment to protecting their neighbors,” said Governor Walz. “This year, firefighters in Minnesota demonstrated that commitment while working under dangerous conditions to protect the state and Minnesotans during wildfires and other major incidents. On Fallen Firefighters Memorial Day, we honor those who gave their lives in service, stand with the families and communities who carry their memory forward, and recognize the firefighters who continue that vital work today.”

Individuals, businesses, and other organizations are encouraged to join in lowering their flags to honor Minnesota's fallen firefighters and their families.

09/18/2026

Today marks the 79th birthday of the U.S. Air Force.

Since 1947, America’s airmen have defended the skies, protected the nation, and answered the call around the world. We honor their courage, sacrifice, and steadfast service.

09/13/2026

Excellent time, and a special Thank You to the MN Elks Youth Camp, as we hosted 24 female military, EMS, Law Enforcement & Fire women, as they took the weekend to heal and remember the 9/11 weekend

We provided the venue and food as the Mandatory Fun Outdoors ran their 8th annual Gals & Gills.
The weather was beautiful and the food was plenty.

Saturday the local Public Servants came by to welcome them back to camp after a full day of fishing, with a Heroes Welcome.

Thank you for your service, women! You deserve a fun weekend and we are more than happy to provide it!

09/02/2026

This week we are in Baudette MN for the 13th annual Lake of the Woods Pay it Forward Veterans Fishing Extravaganza (https://payitforwardlow.org/) which we are proud sponsors for.
94 Veterans from across the state have come together for some Recreational Therapy on the water.
All of the Resorts pitched in by providing lodging, food and charter boats for Veterans participating.
This year we have Army Veteran Jim Parent from Brainerd Elks Lodge and Jim Huttner of Hopkins Hopkins Elks Lodge #2221 attending.
Water was pretty rough today with 5-6 foot rollers which really kept you on your toes. Not too many fish were caught today with our group, but it was a fun day.
Tomorrow, the water is expected to be calm(er) so we will see if our success rate increases.
We had an excellent program with an even better supper tonight, and it is good to see all the different organizations come together to make this event happen. Veterans are opening up about their service, time as a POW, hardships that pushed them close to being a statistic, and how our efforts have saved their lives.
This is truly a successful program, and we thank you for the support you have shown us to be sponsors of it!

08/31/2026

A little bit of history explaining the difference between a 21-Gun Salute and the firing of 3 Volleys at a military funeral.

https://www.tapsbugler.com/firing-three-volleys/?fbclid=IwdGRjcAUCICZjbGNrBQIa5HBkb2YFZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMzUwNjg1NTMxNzI4AAEe_Fg5EaX1h2RUiqfFbxRY7bvsAFM8g0CvbPxTYumKPXm6-X2U8OKwPKH_xq0_aem_NLpEjIiVbTXUpEgVB2jdOw

Funeral services of great importance evolved as customs (from what is known about early Christian mourning) in the 6th century. Certain traditions and rites associated…

08/24/2026

It has been a busy month for the MN Elks Veterans Services.
Started off with PSPs John Jennings, Sue Foster and Thomas Kramin taking 19 St. Cloud VA Medical Center Veterans to the Twins Ball game (They won!) where we purchased the tickets, hotdogs, sodas, a souvenir baseball & a DQ treat for each of the Veterans attending. Perfect day for a game, albeit a little hot in the sun.
Then we went up to Camp Ripley to cook for the Gold Star Families, bring our 4 Districts together to prepare, cook and serve the meals. Special Thank you to Fergus Falls, Dakota County, Hopkins, Owatonna, Eveleth Lodges, along with District Chairs Jason Churchill Sue Huttner Sue Foster and Dave Hamalainen for the hard work.
From there we went to the Indian Bike Week in Wisconsin, where we did a hamburger & Hotdog fundraiser while supporting the Pin-Ups For Vets to have Miss Monica and Miss Stephanie come visit the Minneapolis VA patients and lift their spirits up.

Pretty full and fun month so far.
Next Monday is the Pay it Forward Veterans Fishing Extravaganza as we prepare to take 90 Veterans out fishing on Lake of the Woods where 3 Elk military Veterans will attend and represent for the week!

Thank you all for the help and support to make these events happen!

08/19/2026

Asked to share.
And why not??
If you happen to be in the area, swing in!
------
WWII Sergeant Harold Nelson is turning 104. He was in North Africa and Italy during The Battle of Anzio.

Would you come to let him know we celebrate him and wish him a Happy birthday?

Who: Sergeant Harold Nelson
When: Friday Aug 21 Cake at Noon
Where: 14351 Dysprosium St NW, Ramsey MN 55303
POC: Daughter Sue 763-290-3423

Military Uniform if possible please and THANK YOU!

07/28/2026

The Minnesota Elks Veterans Services Trailer will be at the Indian bike week once again, August 17-21, doing a fundraiser for our Veterans Programs.
You do not need to have an Indian motorcycle to come out and assist.
We will have a tent with air beds available, if you are interested in volunteering and being a part of the goings on.
We have the coffee on by sunrise for the bikers, saddle bag snack packs and waters ready to go for their ride, and burgers and brats with chips to serve for lunch and supper.
Address is Rivers Edge Campground, 1820 Raleigh Rd, New Richmond, WI 54017.
More information on the event can be found at Indian Bike Week August 16th-23rd, 2026
We can use some Elk members to help out during the week, maybe spend a night or two. On site showers and bathrooms are available too.
The past few years we have met fellow Elks members from across the country and made friends as far away as Australia!
Hoping also to use this event to showcase the MN Elks Riders Lodge 2427 with some members attending.
This event will also include the Pin-Ups For Vets girls, which we sponsor, as they come out to visit our Veterans at the VA facilities in Mpls.

Email [email protected] if you're interested in volunteering.

Truly is a fun event to attend, with live music and different vendors to visit.

07/03/2026

Happy Birthday Eve, America

Tomorrow marks 250 years since the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence. The delegates voted for the colonies to break from Great Britain on July 2, then spent two days revising the draft declaration. Many thought we would celebrate Independence Day on July 2 rather than July 4.

Since July 4, 1776, the US has grown from 13 colonies with 2.5 million people to 50 states, 14 territories, and one district with more than 342 million people. We’re all connected by some 5,000 airports, 161,000 miles of federally supported highways, and 5.5 million miles of power lines. The economy has grown to nearly $32T.

Fireworks have been part of the Fourth of July since the first celebrations, but this year’s festivities will be bigger than ever to mark America's milestone 250th birthday. Roughly 850,000 fireworks are due to light up the nation's capital tomorrow, potentially breaking a world record.

While there will always be challenges, we've come a long way in 250 years. So grab a hot dog and raise a glass to the next 250 years!