DeKalb, IL: The new DeKalb Elks Veteran’s Memorial will hold its official dedication on Saturday, October 1st at 10:00 AM. With the completion of phase one, the Elks are excited to showcase this expression of patriotism. The DeKalb Veteran’s Memorial was developed and conceived in 2018 by Michael Embrey (ELKS member and USAF veteran) and was approved by the ELKS Board of Directors in 2021 to be built and created as a landmark destination for DeKalb, Illinois.
“The new Elks Veteran’s Memorial will be one of the first regional memorials that will include the 6th and newest military branch, the US Space Force”, said Michael Embrey, US Air Force veteran. “More important that this memorial will be a destination for all to visit, and a spectacular visual welcome to those that come to visit Northern Illinois University and DeKalb.”
This Memorial was created to honor all six (6) branches of the U.S. military, with a total of nine (9) flags (US Army, US Navy, US Marine Corps, US Coast Guard, US Air Force, US Space Force, American Flags, POW/MIA, and ELKS Flag). The large brick patio in front of the flags will have inscribed bricks honoring veterans (current and past), active duty military, and ELK veterans. In front of the flags is the new memorial brick plaza which is 54 feet long and 24 feet wide. The selection of the ELKS land for the memorial was to give visitors to DeKalb and Northern Illinois University arriving on Annie Glidden Road a grand welcoming and unique image of the creativity of the City of DeKalb, NIU, veteran community, and the DeKalb Elks Lodge 765.
“We are extremely excited to showcase the new Elks Veteran’s Memorial Plaza,” comments Robin Franklin, Co-Chair of the Elks Veteran’s Memorial project. “The inscribed bricks in the plaza in front of the flags will provide a
permanent memory for our veterans and military service members.”
The dedication service will feature a variety of speakers including the Elks ER Lynne Kunde; DeKalb Mayor Cohen Barnes; Cortney Strohacker, DeKalb County CVB; Illinois State Representative Jeff Keicher; and Michael Embrey, USAF Veteran, and Elk member. The dedication will include the acknowledgment of the new Memorial Fire-pit(local Eagle Scout project) and two new memorial benches – one dedicated to the US Air Force and one to Vietnam Era Veterans.
The Elks Club (the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks or BPOE) is a civic group, and the DeKalb Elks Lodge is the building where they host local chapter meetings and social events. The Elks fraternal order has nearly a million members and is celebrating its 154-year history.
The DeKalb Elks Lodge brings so much more to the community than just a building. The Elks Lodge is a place where neighbors come together, families share meals and fellowship networking. The Elks invest in their communities through a variety of programs that help children grow up healthy and drug-free, assist the elderly, support scouting programs, and assist other organizations that give back to the community (most recently supporting the Toys for Tots motorcycle run).
The Elks Lodge is located at 209 South Annie Glidden Road in DeKalb, Illinois. The DeKalb chapter is 120 years in existence. For years many people will remember the old Elks lodge located at the corners of 1st Street and Lincoln Highway in downtown DeKalb. The lodge moved to its current location in 1994.
“This new memorial is more than just a dedication to veterans, it represents our commitment to supporting veterans and veteran families in our community”, commented DeKalb Elks’ Exalted Ruler Lynne Kunde. “We want our new Veteran’s Memorial Plaza to be a place where people meet and share the common goal of paying homage and honoring our men and women in uniform and those that served”.
Elks Veterans programs are extremely important to the mission of most lodges. Elks pledge “So long as there are veterans, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks will never forget them.” The Elks National Veterans Service Commission takes that pledge one step further, and promises service to our nation’s veterans and military members, with a special focus on service to those in need.
After the formal dedication, there will be a welcome reception at the Elks lodge. Following the theme of the day, the reception is a military USO-type event – coffee and donuts. NOTE: Donuts will be donated by the DeKalb American Legion Auxiliary. This event is open to the public.
Note: To learn more about the Elks organization or how to purchase a future brick, please contact: Robin Franklin, Secretary and Board Member – DeKalb ELKS ddrtfrank@gmail.com
Saturday, October, 1st, 2022 DeKalb Elks Veteran’s Memorial Plaza
DeKalb ELKS Lodge #765, 209 South Annie Glidden, DeKalb, IL Official Dedication. The Ceremony Starts at 10:00 AM
10:00 AM Welcome Everyone – Michael Embrey, Co-Chair
10:03 AM Star Spangled Banner – Christine Wild Monteiro
10:06 AM Opening Prayer: American Legion Chaplin
10:09 AM ELK Speech: Lynne Kunde, ER DeKalb ELKS, Welcome other ELK Leaders, DeKalb ELKS Board
10:14 AM Community Speech: Cohen Barnes, Mayor of the City of DeKalb
10:20 AM DeKalb County Speech: Cortney Strohacker, DCCVB Executive Director
10:25 AM Dedication Speech: Jeff Keicher, Illinois State Representative
10:30 AM FinalDedication & Thank You: Acknowledging sponsors and donors
10:40 AM DeKalb American Legion Honor Guard: Presents the colors, firing squad, and TAPS
10:45 AM Final Thank You
NOTE: Rain or Shine ~ ~ ~ Reception follows the ceremony at the ELKS Lodge ~ ~ ~The Elks Lodge – 209 S Annie Glidden Rd – DeKalb IL 60115 (815) 756-6912.
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