Many years ago, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the United States of America made an oath that as long as there is a veteran in our hospitals, the Elks will never forget them. The Vancouver Lodge No. 823 of the B.P.O. Elks went one step further.
A call came in to Elaine Paulson, the lodge’s exalted ruler, explaining that the remains of a veteran had yet to be claimed by a family member, and asked for help. This veteran passed on nearly 10 years ago, on Nov. 11, 2007. So, on March 10, Vancouver Elks Lodge No. 823 conducted a stirring and appropriate ceremony at the Armed Forces Reserve Center for not one but five veterans whose remains went unclaimed.
Little is known about these five men except to say that they joined the armed forces and were honorably discharged, that they went through the same trials every soldier, sailor, airman, Marine and Coast Guard member endures. They survived basic training, “A” School to learn their duties, and did those duties honorably, hence receiving an honorable discharge from their branch of service.
Why were they forgotten? That remains a mystery, but — rest assured — in the event this should happen again, we as Elks will honor those with the same dignity and honor conducted on March 10.
