FLORIDA, Mass. — The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks will hold its annual memorial service for veterans and fallen servicemen and women on Saturday, June 17, at noon. 

 

Hosted by the North Adams Elks Lodge 487, it will take place at the Elk on the Trail at the Whitcomb Summit on Route 2. 

 

This is the only Massachusetts Elks Association sponsored memorial service and brings together not only Elks across the state, but the local community as well, and is open to the public. It is held each year in June to commemorate the anniversary of the Elk on the Trail's unveiling and dedication on June 17, 1923, to honor Elks members who had died in World War I. 

 

Several state officers will take part in the ceremony as well as a flag honor guard, who will present the flags of each branch of the service. Musical selections will be performed by the Drury High School band and there will be a reading of the meaning of the 13 folds of the American flag and tribute to the vacant chair. 

 

Memorial wreaths will be presented by a representative of each lodge present and taps will be played by members of Westfield-West Springfield Lodge 1481. The gun salute will be performed by the Northern Berkshire Honor Guard, which is based at North Adams American Legion Post 125

 

A luncheon will follow, hosted by the North Adams Lodge, located at 100 Eagle St., North Adams.