Taunton Lodge of Elks meet Elks national leader
By James Strojny SUBMITTED STORY
Tuesday, October 27, 2009 2:08 PM EDT
Taunton Elks Members at the reception L-R: Past State President of the MA Elks Association Joseph P. Silvia, Jr.; Elks National President James L. Nichelson; MA Elks State President James F. Strojny, Jr.; and Taunton Lodge Past President Timothy Avelino. (SUBMITTED).
TAUNTON - Taunton Lodge of Elks #150 was visited by Elks National Leader James L. Nichelson and his lovely wife Mary Carolyn, who hail from the Martins Ferry, Ohio and the Ohio River Valley Lodge #231, on Thursday October 1, 2009.
It truly is a rare occasion when an Elks National Leader can come and visit a local lodge, since there are over 2,000 lodges through out the United States.
During his visit to Taunton, which started their 3-day visit to Massachusetts, he was proud to present a long overdue Citizen of the Year for 2007-2008 to Taunton Elks Member, Major Stephen F. Smith of Berkley, who was awarded this honor for two tours of duty in Iraq (the second of which, he was in Iraq when he was named for this prestigious award). Major Smith was deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from March 2007 through May 2008 at Camp Victory, Baghdad. His first deployment was also in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from February 2003 through May 2004 at Tallil, Iraq.
National President Nichelson spoke highly of Major Smith, his wife and family, for the sacrifices they have and continue to make for our country.
Taunton Lodge also was in attendance at the MA Elks State Reception, which was held at the Holiday Inn in Mansfield.
Pictured left to right are the Officers and Past Lodge Presidents of the Taunton Lodge of Elks with Elks National President James L. Nichelson and his wife Mary Carolyn in the front. (SUBMITTED).
As National President Nichelson put out the challenge to all in attendance to strive to increase membership in all Elks Lodges in Massachusetts, so that the Elks can be an even stronger organization and to continue our commitment to our Veterans, through the Elks Adopt-A-Veteran and the Elks Wounded Warrior Program, which is the essence of his theme for this year "Elks Make A Difference".
