Recently 120 members of the Mission Viejo Elks Lodge 2444 were honored for their years of service to the club.

Members get a pin for every five years of service. Exalted Ruler Gloria R. LeCouvre presided over the meeting as over 120 pins of service were given to members.

Here's a recap of the night, courtesy of club publicist Hal Mattson:

Secretary Charlie Hart said of the event, “Pins are awarded for five-year increments of service. We affectionately call it ‘Old Timers Night’ and it is always a fun-filled get-together for the recipients and attendees. There is always lots of storytelling from the older members about the early history of our Lodge.”

Members attending the meeting were awarded five through fifty-five year pins. Thirty-five-year service pins went to George Wegner of Mission Viejo, Jim Elder of San Juan Capistrano, Richard Schneller of Laguna Hills and Thomas Sargent of Redding.

John Fischle of Dana Point, David Roadway of Oceanside, William Donohoe of Lake Forest and Gerald Logan of Pollock Pines received 40-year pins.

Forty-five-year pins were awarded to Hal Friedlander and Stephen Janosik of Mission Viejo and long time bingo volunteer Frank DePrizio of Laguna Niguel. Celebrating 50 years of membership were Tom Meany and Hartcel Hobbs of Mission Viejo. Although not present at the meeting, Eugene Totera of San Clemente was recognized for his Elk membership spanning 60 years. However, long time member Morris Silver of Laguna Woods was present to accept recognition and an anniversary pin for his 55 years of service (attached photo). Attending with Morris was proud wife Bea.

LeCouvre said of the event, “Our Elks Lodge prides itself on the increasing numbers of younger men and women who are becoming members. We love to see those young families here enjoying themselves at a Friday night dinner as they are certainly the future of our Elks organization.” LeCouvre added, “Nevertheless, I think it is great when we honor our old timers. They are the people who built and made the Elks the charity organization it is today.” ER LeCouvre is herself an octogenarian, and prides herself on being one of the most active seniors in the entire national Elks organization.