Cape Henlopen Elks honor departed members

Every year on the first Sunday in December, Cape Henlopen Elks Lodge 2540 holds its memorial ritual and ceremony to remember those members who passed in the previous 12 months. It is open to the public, and family members and friends of the departed were welcomed by officers and members of the Lewes lodge Dec. 7 for the annual ceremony.

Exalted Ruler Marty Schreck opened the ceremony with a brief statement, followed by a prayer from acting chaplain and PER Ralph Patterson. PER and Lodge Secretary Joanne Mayer solemnly read the names of each of the 29 departed members while PER Paul Holton Jr. and Dan Celia, inner guard, lit the ceremonial candles representing each of the missing members. PER Gary Eckenrode then recited the poem, “The Vacant Chair.”

Part of the ritual involves placing special flower sprigs upon the Bible: The forget-me-not symbolizes charity, the amaranth symbolizes justice and immortality, and clinging ivy symbolizes brotherly love.

Once again this year, a beautiful slideshow of the departed was shown. Created by PER Buddy Hall-McBride, the presentation was well received, with some guests taking photos of the screenshots showing their loved ones.

The service continued with the Eleventh Hour Toast, and the reading, “What Is an Elk?” by Karen Palmer, followed by the emotional song “You Raise Me Up” sung by PER and trustee Joy Schreck, and a light luncheon prepared and served by volunteers.

This brief annual ceremony is required by all Elks each year, allowing the opportunity to remember and demonstrate eternal commitment to absent brothers and sisters. Rather than have tearful eyes, it is hoped that the hearts of members, family and friends were instead filled with happy recollections of the lives and service of those dearly departed.