The Orange Elks Recognizing our Veterans
by: Bill Neessen
Published: November 17, 2025
ORANGE...Veterans Day week is very busy around Orange Elks Lodge! Our members will support our Community, our Veterans, our Youth and our Community Partners with several programs!
The Veteran is a person who, at one point in his or her life wrote a blank check payable to the United States of America for an amount up to and including their life.
On Friday, Orange Elks veterans greeted the students at Palmyra Elementary School as they arrived. Our veterans told the students about their experiences as veterans, talked about military history and answered any questions the students had.
L–R: Brian Fitzpatrick, Terrie Schatz, and John Smith
At noon the lodge hosted the Orange High School’s Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps in celebration of the USMC 250th birthday. The room was full of cadets and honored guests for this ceremony. The program at Orange HS is one of the biggest in the West with over 200 cadets signed up.
L–R: Ricardo Paco; Mark Wayland (oldest Marine present); Lance Corporal Sean Perez (Youngest Marine present); Colonel Mark M. Tull United States Marine Corps (Retired), and Jose Gadea
Next, our members showed up at Handy Elementary School and helped the Community of Orange Foundation set up the Field of Valor. This is a patriotic tribute to our men and women who are serving and have served in the military. Over 1200 American flags were set up with each flag dedicated to the honor of a friend or family member.
On Veterans Day, the Elks worked with the American Legion Post 132 to hold an event honoring our Veterans. Over 120 Veterans and guests attended a ceremony at the American Legion Post. The Orange High School’s Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps presented the colors, followed by the program. Then everyone went downstairs for dinner provided, by the lodge, hamburgers/cheeseburgers and hot dogs with all the fixins.
“As long as there is a Vet, the Orange Elks will never forget”! The week ended with The Veterans Night Program at the lodge. The programs included patriotic songs, recognizing our members who served in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and Space Force. Veterans Committee Chairmen, Brian and Stephanie Fitzpatrick presented the 21st Heros Scholarship Award to E-5 Petty Officer Andrea Alexander, U S Navy.
L–R: Andrea, her sons, Stephanie & Brian
The evening ended with one of our time-honored traditions, the Marine Corp birthday cake cutting ceremony.
“As long as there is a Vet, the Orange Elks will never forget”.
Photos:OrangeElks