Red Ribbon Week Oct. 23-31

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Red Ribbon Week is the Nation’s oldest and largest drug prevention program, reaching millions of Americans during the last week of October every year. Red Ribbon Week is celebrated annually redribbonOctober 23-31. By wearing red ribbons and participating in community anti-drug events, young people pledge to live a drug-free lifestyle and pay tribute to DEA Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena.

Red Ribbon History

Enrique (Kiki) Camarena was born on July 26, 1947 in Mexicali, Mexico. He graduated from Calexico High School in Calexico, Calif., in 1966. After graduation he joined the U.S. Marines where he served for two years. After his military service, Kiki joined the Calexico Police Department and later moved to the El Centro Police Department. In 1974, he became part of the Drug Enforcement Administration. Seven years later he was assignedhonoringKikiCamarena to the resident office in Guadalajara. He worked out of this office for four and a half years and was close to exposing a major drug trafficking operation. On February 7, 1985 Kiki was kidnapped. That was the last time he was seen alive. He was 37 years of age.

Shortly after Kiki’s death, U.S. Congressman Duncan Hunter; his wife Lynne Hunter; Calexico High School classmate, Henry Lozano; and Calexico City Councilman and educator, David Dillon launched the Calexico High School Kiki Camarena Club in Kiki’s hometown of Calexico, Calif. On April 20, 1985 over one hundred Kiki Camarena Club members pledged to lead drug free lives.

Interest from school districts in other cities in California’s Imperial Valley afforded Henry Lozano, then-Executive Director of Imperial Valley Teen Challenge, to create Kiki Camarena Clubs in Holtville, Brawley, and El Centro, California with the support of the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks.

In 1986, Henry Lozano, as a member of the Board of Directors of Californians for Drug-Free Youth, Inc., created a statewide coalition comprised of the Elks, Lions, Rotary, California Narcotics Officers Association, California Drug Enforcement Administration and drug prevention parent groups who worked together to establish the first statewide Red Ribbon Week celebration in October.

In 1988, the National Federation of Parents for Drug-Free Youth championed the first national Red Ribbon Week campaign with Honorary Chairman President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan. That same year, congress officially established Red Ribbon Week.

Now, at the end of every October, millions of Americans dawn red ribbons in memory of Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena.

The Elks are proud to be a part of such an important tradition. For more information about the Elks Drug Awareness programs, visit www.elks.org/dap.

 

North Carolina Elks State President Message #2

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I was extremely honored to represent the Elks of the great state of North Carolina at the National Convention in New Orleans, Louisiana, July 13-17, 2014. “Naw-lins” lived up to it’s reputation with food, music and Cajun hospitality. I attended all of the business sessions and enjoyed the friendships of other Elks and the hospitality rooms.

Your new National Leader, Grand Exalted Ruler John D. Amen, was sworn in and with pride took over the leadership of this outstanding organization. His motto this year is “Elks—Elevating America.” By this he means that Elks elevate, or lift up America, by the good works they do in their communities. He emphasizes teamwork in the lodges. There are simply too many things to get done to expect the Exalted Ruler to handle them all. You can help make a difference by volunteering and joining one of the lodge committees.

Vickie and I attended the East Central District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler clinic held at Fayetteville Lodge #1081, Fayetteville, NC by DDGER Bob Miller on 10 August 2014, and the East District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler clinic held at Wilmington Lodge #532, Wilmington , NC, by DDGER John Lawrence on 17 August 2014.

Vickie and I were honored guest to the South Carolina Elks Association Summer Convention which was held 4-7 September, 2014 at the Ocean Drive Beach Resort at 98 N. Ocean Blvd., N. Myrtle Beach, SC We checked in on Thursday and were meet by the SC State President John C. Vecchio and his wife Marilyn. We were treated to dinner at the Little River Elks Lodge #2840 in the company of our state sponsor Arthur “Jack” Frost and wife Sharon, Special Deputy to the PGER Robert Ressler and wife Diana, along with the SC Stated President John Vecchio and wife Marilyn. On Friday I attended several of the South Carolina Elks Association meetings to include their Advisory Board meeting, their budget Meeting, and their Board of Directors meeting. Later that same evening Vickie and I attended their Hall of Fame Dinner along with the other dignitaries at Little River Lodge #2840. On Saturday Vickie and I attended the Business Meeting from 8:30 until noon. This was followed by a luncheon. We attended the President Reception at 6:30 pm and that was followed by a dance. This convention ended Sunday morning and we headed for home. The South Carolina Elks treated us like family with the most gracious hospitality we could imagine. We were truly honored and grateful.

On the 13th and 14th of September I will be attending and playing in the North Carolina State Golf Tournament at Southern Pines Golf Club in Southern Pines, NC The proceeds of this tournament go to helping support one of our State major projects, purchaseing buses for our Veterans homes. In addition,

Vickie and I will be in attendance and look forward to the official visit of the District Deputy, John Lawrence and his wife Cheryl, to Calabash Lodge #2679 on 24 September.

We are preparing for the North Carolina State Elks Association Fall Convention 24-26 October, 2014 to be held in High Point, NC We will be honored to have with us at this convention our new Grand Exalted Ruler John D. Amen and first Lady Marcia from Denver, Colorado, along with our state sponsor, Past Grand Exalted Ruler Arthur “Jack” Frost and his wife Sharon, and Special Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler John Boyd and his wife Ann. We hope to see many of you attend and enjoy this convention. As one might expect, there are many details of planning and arrangements to be worked out for a convention and visit by such dignitaries. Many of our NCSEA committees pull together as a “Team” to make things work like clockwork. I am very fortunate to have such wonderful volunteers on my state committees.

I ask all of you to please remember that November is Elks Veterans Remembrance Month and remember our pledge “So long as there are Veterans the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks will never forget them. Veterans Day is 11 November. Stop and spend time with a Veteran. Just tell them how much you appreciate their service. It will mean all the world to them that have served and continue to serve. Remember that Freedom is not Free and the Veteran pays the price. Do this and it will help you be the Elk you know you should be.

Thank you for all you do for Elkdom. I continue to perform all the other duties of State President as may be required of this position.
Fraternally,
Teddy G. Acton
President-NCSEA

North Carolina Elks State President Message #1

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Since becoming the North Carolina Elks State President I have been busy representing the North Carolina Elks to the best of my ability. Vickie and I were honored to be invited to the Virginia Elks Association Convention in Williamsburg, Virginia June 12-15 held at the Fort Magruder Hotel and Conference Center where we arrived on Thursday and departed on Sunday driving nearly 700 miles.

As honored guest of the Virginia Elks we spent the weekend in the company of our Grand Exalted Ruler Millard C. Pickering and his wife Susanne; PGER and Virginia State Sponsor Lester “Ted” Hess Jr.; Chief Justice of the Grand Forum Robert M. Goolrick and his wife Anna; Chairman of the Board of Grand Trustees Ronald L. Hicks and his wife Nancy; Special Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler Robert R. Hinkle and his wife Cheryl; and Virginia Elks State President Richard F. Stroop and his wife Carolyn.

On Thursday I attended their State Trustees meeting and their Past State Presidents meeting. We went to dinner with the dignitaries as a group in historic Williamsburg. Friday morning after an informal breakfast we were taken on a tour of the Jamestown Settlement which was followed by an informal lunch in the Jamestown/Williamsburg area. At 4 pm I attended their State Major Project (Youth Camp) meeting. Friday evening Vickie and I were invited to the Past State Presidents reception and dinner. Saturday morning after the Past Exalted Ruler/Exalted Ruler breakfast I attended their business meeting which was followed by a Memorial service and a Scholarship Awards Program and luncheon. Saturday afternoon we visited all the hospitality rooms in the company of the other distinguished guest. Saturday evening we attended the Virginia Elks Association Convention Banquet. I was honored by being ask to speak at the Banquet. Sunday morning there were no official events so all the honored guest met for breakfast before departing for home.
It was truly a weekend full of outstanding hospitality and shared friendships.

Vickie and I are now preparing to leave for the Elks National Grand Lodge Convention being held in New Orleans, Louisiana July 13-17, 2014. As the North Carolina State President it will be my honor to carry the NC Flag in the opening ceremony of the Grand Lodge Convention. My name was also presented to the Grand Exalted Ruler by our State Sponsor Past Grand Exalted Ruler Arthur H. Frost III for the high honor of appointment on Monday morning, July 14th, to be an Assistant Tiler. It will be my honor to represent the North Carolina Elks by fulfilling these duties.

I continue to perform all other duties as may be required by an action of the State Elks Association and consider this position to not only be an honor but truly a privilege.

Please remember that all local lodges have a positive impact on our community by the charitable activities we are involved in so keep up the great work. Membership is the force that makes it work. Elks Care and Elks Share. Look into the mirror and see if those eyes looking back are proud to say “I am the Elk I know I should be”. Take on all the new challenges with pride and never give up.

I look forward to continue to serve as your President. Thank you for all your support and hard work.

Fraternally,

Teddy G. Acton
President-NCSEA