Ken Salzsieder, exalted ruler of Weiser Elks Lodge and first Lady Mandie attend the Elks Grand Lodge Convention of 2021. 6,700 Elks from all over the United States attended this year’s convention. For this year’s 156th convention, it was taken in Tampa, Florida. Each year, the convention is taken in a different state. The event took place on July 3rd through July 7th. The convention was filled with different people from all over the United States with the same purpose. To learn what it means to be a true Elk Lodge member. When researching the importance of what it means to be an Elk, I found the true meaning to being a member. The mission for an Elk is to enhance the happiness of its members and to promote their welfare.
Not only does an Elk promote the welfare and happiness of their members but they quicken the spirit of American patriotism. An Elk member recognizes the importance of helping others and finding joy while doing so. While interviewing Ken Salzsieder, he shared his most memorable moment of the trip. Seeing a large group of both men and women coming together with compassion in their hearts to make a difference in bettering the world around us. With being an Elk member, their foundation is built on four major priorities. Their beliefs, justice, brotherly love, and fidelity. With the convention, Elk’s were able to reaffirm that the true joy in life is helping others. As coming to an end for this convention, the Elks were treated to a dinner cruise on the starship yacht.
By Quincy Clary.
Photos by Ken Salzsieder.
