Ice  cream.  It’s a strange thing to be  thinking about in the middle of February with the temperature outside hovering around four degrees.  Yet, in a round about way, it’s ice cream I’m thinking of.  Everyone likes ice cream.  I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone that  doesn’t.  Most people have their  favorite.  Stroh’s black cherry happens  to be mine, but perhaps its chocolate or rum raisin, vanilla fudge swirl or  butter pecan for you.  Whatever flavor it  is, no matter how much we enjoy eating it, people don’t really spend much time  thinking about ice cream.  Thinking about  the pleasure it brings, or the way a bowl full of it can help to brighten your day.

 Last  month, I had the honor and privilege of helping to serve ice cream to a very  special and very thankful group of people.  They seemed to derive more pleasure and satisfaction from a simple bowl of ice cream than anyone I have ever met in my life.  The group was made up of men and women, black  and white, young and not so young.  When  our small contingent of Elk members opened the doors to the cafeteria, the group  gathered at the head of the serving counter. Dutifully they waited their turn in single file order, obviously waiting on line for chow was something they had done before.  Each individual stepped up, received the  flavor of their choice, and made their way down the line.  They passed through our fixins bar, where  they added chocolate syrup or strawberry sauce, nuts or sprinkles.  Most went for the works! 

 Some  of them had a spring in their step and they moved along crisply.  Some moved down the line more slowly, with  the aid of a cane or wheelchair.  Some  had limbs so badly damaged,  they could not move.  To those, we very  happily delivered ice cream. 

 Then,  as they left the line, every single one of them to the person, stopped and said  thank you.  These heroes, these men and  women who had served our country so selflessly and faithfully, all without fail,  expressed their gratitude to us.  Some  smiled and nodded their heads, others added God bless you and went on their  way.  I was honored to simply be in the  same room with these brave men and women.  I was honored to help to serve them in some very small way.  Yet, they were the ones who were saying thank  you.

 I  doubt sincerely that even one of the Veterans at the Detroit Veterans Center was  actually saying thank you for the bowl of ice cream.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure they enjoyed it, and it helped to make their day a little better.  No, instead I think they were saying thank you for us just being there, for taking the time. Saying thank you to the Elks for  remembering.

 Over  my last year as Exalted Ruler of Dearborn 1945, there have been many times when I was very proud to be an Elk.  Proud of our Order and the Cardinal Principles it subscribes to, and proud of the actions of its members.  Yet, the thing that made me the most proud this year, the thing that I will always take with me, is the  memory of a smile and simple thank you from a true American hero.

Sincerely,

Darryl  J. Bartlett

Exalted  Ruler

Dearborn,  MI  #1945

Please  contact Stewart Israel at stewizzy@yahoo.com  to volunteer to serve at the  Detroit Veterans Center.