Sunday, May 16, 2004 - 01:13:06 pm EDT 


Letter: Honoring our vets 

It was gratifying to attend and then read about the dedication of the new N.C. State Veterans Nursing Home at the Hefner VA Medical Center. It fulfills a much-needed benefit to those who have served our country so valiantly. 

It's also worthy of mention that at that same dedication, a new multipassenger van was presented to the home by the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks to further transport those needy veterans to and from the facility. It is fully equipped to properly serve those who need transportation, including any with physical handicaps. 

This contribution is in keeping with the Elks' longstanding support of veterans who have served in our military services. The Elks have as their motto, "So long as there are veterans in hospitals, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks will never forget them." It is a little known fact that the Elks established field hospitals during World War I and then a major facility in Massachusetts to provide care to returning injured veterans. That service was then turned over to the U.S. government to become what we now know as VA hospitals. 

In addition, locally the Salisbury Elks provide entertainment monthly at the Hefner Hospital, special events such as outings at their property at High Rock Lake, a major variety show in January each year and donations of television sets and other items to be used by veterans. Other charitable projects support youth in Little League baseball, soccer, scholarships, Americanism contests and drug awareness, to name a few. 

-- Ray E. Paradowski 

Salisbury 

Editor's note: Paradowski is a trustee of Salisbury Elks Lodge No. 699.