NEWS
News from the Maine Elks AssociationCalendar Winners for June 24
Another Wonderful Lodge Visitation
What a great visit we had with the York Lodge just before going to Austin. We were treated to a beautiful room in Ogunquit very close to the beach and the room contained gifts from the lodge and ER Navish.
We were then cheufered by Beth Butler to the lodge for an authentic Hawaiian luau. The food was great, the company even better. We were visited by PSP John Desjardin and his wife Jessica who filled us in on the status of their new born grandchild. In fact the evening was filled with short stories and long laughs, like all journeys should be. The next day Denise and I got to explore the beach and a quaint Maine coastal town for the first time in years. The hospitality of our lodges has been tremendous and we anxiously await our next visitation.
Join us for Owie Box Run 2024!
The 22nd Maine Elks Association’s Owie Box Run is planned for July 20th, 2024.
The run will be departing the Bath Lodge at 10 am, and heads toward Skowhegan-Madison with lots beautiful Maine scenery along the way. Use the links below for more information, feel free to distribute both:
Maine Presents Enrique “Kiki” Camarena Award
Shown from left to right: Maine Elks Association President Michael Hannigan, Chief Matthew Cummings, Presque Isle Elks Exalted Ruler Tina Dougherty, Maine Drug Awareness Program State Director Anthony Gause, and Presque Isle Drug Awareness Program Chairman Alan Harding.
On the evening of June 12 I had the distinct honor and pleasure of being present when the Enrique “Kiki” Camarena award was presented to Fort Fairfield Police chief Matthew Cummings during a session of the Fort Fairfield Town Council.
This award is offered by the BPOE to recognize and honor the efforts of a law enforcement officer in each state who has made a significant contribution in the field of drug abuse prevention. Such officers demonstrate Enrique’s belief that one person can make a difference.
Enrique “Kiki” Camarena was an 11–year veteran Agent of the United States Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), who was kidnapped, brutally tortured and then murdered in Mexico in 1985. Prior to serving with the DEA, Agent Camarena was a firefighter, a criminal investigator, and a narcotics officer. He was a loving husband and a father of three children. His death has inspired millions of Americans to lead a drug-free life. The Elks celebrate his commitment to this effort with an annual award. Each year, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks presents the Enrique S. Camarena Award to a member of law enforcement who best exemplifies the qualities and principles for which Agent Camarena gave his life.
This presentation is the result of a lot of hard work by Alan Harding, Presque Isle Lodge #1954 Drug Awareness chairman, and Anthony Gause, Augusta Lodge #964 and our state association Drug Awareness chairman. The Enrique Camarena award is offered annually based on the recommendation of local law enforcement departments. It is the duty of each Lodge to encourage and assist local law enforcement entities to participate and nominate an officer. If you need more information, Anthony and Alan are always available and ready to help out.
Also present were Presque Isle Exalted Ruler Tina Dougherty, special assistant to the state drug awareness program Danielle Jones of Skowhegan-Madison Lodge #2531, and Mary Harding of Presque Isle Lodge #1954.
Mike Hanigan
MEA President 2024-25
MEA Attends State Veterans Program
Executive Director of the Sisters in Arms Center in Augusta and presented her with Irving gas cards and Walmart cards in celebration of this special day, and to honor their work in helping to bring hope and shelter to Maine women weterans and their children in need.