Washington 100th Anniversaries Celebrated at Anacortes No. 1204 and Bremerton No.118, May28, 29, 2010

Although this was not our “official” Washington state visit, we helped two Lodges celebrate 100 years of Elkdom.  We were greeted in Seattle by PGER Roger and Marilyn True and checked into a lovely quaint hotel in Anacortes that had a cupola and gorgeous water views.  The rainy weather cancelled our afternoon boat trip, and the Anacortes Lodge provided us with lunch in the midst of preparing for the evening banquet.  It was great to be with PGER Frank and Polly Garland, Grand Esteemed Leading Knight Dick and Betty Mitchell, and State Pres. Rick and Susan Mullen.

Anacortes celebration dinner was Friday evening and was well attended by local and district Elks who welcomed us warmly.  It so reminded us of our own lodge 100th anniversary when PGER Jim and Karen McQuillan visited.  The enthusiasm of Anacortes young lodge officers was very contagious and it was a festive evening!

On Saturday we traveled by ferry to Bremerton checked in and hustled off to one of the most memorable tours of our year.  At the Bremerton naval facility we climbed aboard USS Maine, a Trident Ohio Class nuclear submarine.  Obviously, there aren’t any pictures of the submarine or the base, let’s just say we had to have our US passports to gain admittance.  The boat (subs aren’t called ships) was an amazing example of engineering and technology, and almost as impressive as the young, committed, intelligent crew members.  The USS Maine was in dry dock for a total refitting, fully staffed and guarded by M-16′s.

Saturday evening we were escorted to the beautiful Bremerton Lodge No. 1181 which is located on an amazing piece of water-view property!  The exceptional dinner and dance were a fitting tribute to their 100th anniversary which culminated a whole venue of activities and events.

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