Elks: Santa Monica Elks 906 celebrated Patriot Day at the Lodge. The lodge had a 20th Anniversary of 9/11 memorial. They honored Santa Monica Fire Department Captain Mike Fitzgerald as the 2021 Elks Firefighter of the Year. Finally, the lodge awarded Stephen J. Schechter, a local Santa Monica citizen, with the Frank J Italiano Award for Americanism as the 2021-2022 Elks Patriot of the Year. Schechter is the 17th recipient of this award and first non-Elk to receive it. All honorees received an American Eagle statuette, a letter of commendation from the City of Santa Monica, a Special Citation from Grand Lodge through PGER Robert L Duitsman and DDGER Karen Buchanan, a Special Citation from California Hawaii Elks Association President Jay Larkins and Association Vice President Beverly Woulfe, and two commemorative patches by California Hawaii Elks Association Americanism Chairman R.A. Pickett.
Chief Tom Klemo spoke about Capt. Fitzgerald who was on assignment with the fire in Northern California. Pictured are L-R: Santa Monica Police Lt. Francisco Franco, Lodge President Jaynee Roszhart, Patriot of the Year Steve Schechter, Santa Monica Fire Chief Tom Klemo, Past National President Robert Duitsman, and California Hawaii Elks Americanism Chairman Robert Pickett.
