Minnesota Elks Veterans Service

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!

06/19/2026

Tours Home

Four tours deep, boots worn thin,
Carried the war beneath my skin.
Came back home on American ground,
But part of me never came back around.
The flags were waving, the people cheered,
They saw the uniform, not what I feared.
They thanked me kindly, shook my hand,
But couldn't see the ghosts that stand.
Four tours of dust, four tours of fire,
Four tours pushing mind and body higher.
Four tours watching brothers fall,
Now I hear their names in the silence of it all.
A car door slams and my heart takes flight,
A crowded room feels like a fight.
Eyes on exits, back to the wall,
Living on guard long after the call.
The war came home packed in my chest,
Stealing my sleep, disturbing my rest.
Night after night I relive the pain,
Fighting old battles again and again.
Some days are good, some days are rough,
Some days surviving feels enough.
But I keep moving, one step, one mile,
Learning how to live with the memories awhile.
Because PTSD ain't weakness, it's proof I've been through hell,
Proof that I've carried burdens too heavy to tell.
Proof that I stood where many fear to stand,
Serving my brothers and serving this land.
So if you see me staring far away,
Know I'm fighting battles you can't see today.
But I'm still standing, though I've been torn apart,
A soldier's scars etched deep within my heart.
Four tours behind me, yet the journey goes on,
Learning to live from dusk until dawn.
And though some days the darkness feels near,
I remind myself why I'm still here.
For the ones who didn't make it home,
For the families left to grieve alone.
For every brother whose story ends too soon,
I carry their memory beneath the moon.
Four tours changed me, that's certainly true,
But they didn't break me—I made it through.
And with God's grace guiding where I roam,
I'm still fighting my way all the way home.

06/12/2026

The initial orders for these shirts will be closed on Sunday, the 14th of June (Flag Day), so that they will be available at the State Convention in Faribault.
If you are interested, place your order before that time!

We have had a few requests for T-Shirts for the Mn Elks Veterans Services, so we came up with a fundraiser to support Recreation Therapy for our Veterans.

We have 2 different options:
1) A navy blue shirt with the Pledge of Allegiance on the back.
2) a R.E.D. shirt to wear for "Red on Friday".

We are charging $22, symbolizing the awareness of the 22 Veterans who take their lives every day. Recreational Therapy has been proven to reduce thoughts that lead to these unfortunate events.

Please consider supporting our programs and wear these shirts with pride as you go out in public!

Link is below

06/02/2026

We have had a few requests for T-Shirts for the Mn Elks Veterans Services, so we came up with a fundraiser to support Recreation Therapy for our Veterans.

We have 2 different options:
1) A navy blue shirt with the Pledge of Allegiance on the back.
2) a R.E.D. shirt to wear for "Red on Friday".

We are charging $22, symbolizing the awareness of the 22 Veterans who take their lives every day. Recreational Therapy has been proven to reduce thoughts that lead to these unfortunate events.

Please consider supporting our programs and wear these shirts with pride as you go out in public!

Link is below

05/24/2026

Sometimes Memorial Day and Veterans Day get confused.
Many people simply were never taught the difference.

Memorial Day honors those who never made it home.
Veterans Day honors all who have served.

One remembers the ultimate sacrifice.
One celebrates service.

Both deserve our gratitude.
Both deserve to be understood.

The holiday is not about correcting people harshly — it’s about educating everyone why these days matter so deeply to so many families.

Please take a moment to know the difference… and honor both with the respect they deserve. 🇺🇸