Cape Henlopen Elks celebrate Flag Day
Cape Henlopen Elks Lodge 2540 of Lewes held a Flag Day ceremony and luncheon June 12.
The Elks took time during the event to honor Eagle Scout Matthew Hobman, and to recognize winners of its Americanism essay contest.
Exalted Ruler Joanne Mayer welcomed guests and Esteemed Leading Knight Joy Schreck sang the “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
As members of Boy Scout Troop 2540 presented the procession of the nation's flags from the first to the present, Treasurer Karen Palmer gave a brief history of each. Terrie Bradley, Elks Americanism chair, described the significance of each of the 13 folds of the U.S. flag as the solemn folding procedure was demonstrated by Elks members Charlie Kortlang and Betty Ann Kortlang, chaplain.
Bradley presented gift cards to this year's Americanism essay contest winners, all fifth-graders at Milton Elementary School. This national contest gives schoolchildren the opportunity to express their views on patriotism, respect and love of country, and what they can do to become better citizens of the United States of America. First-place winner was Daisy Hughes. Second place went to Sophie Sockriter, who could not attend; and Devin Studie took third place.
Scoutmaster John Renshaw led an abbreviated Eagle Court of Honor to recognize Matthew Hobman and celebrate his achievement. For his Eagle Scout project, Matthew volunteered his time and talent to create a colorful collection bin for used flags, as well as beautifying the outdoor flagpole display at the Elks Lodge, which is seen by many passersby on busy Beaver Dam Road. Rep. Steve Smyk, R-Milton, and Sussex County Councilman Mark Schaeffer offered praise and words of encouragement for Hobman on his accomplishment.
At the end of the program, members of the Elks Flag Retirement Team Jim Gillin and Edmund Guditus accepted faded, used and discarded flags. The ceremony for retiring U.S. flags calls for them to be burned, but due to the drizzly weather conditions, that function will be performed at a later date.
