Clewiston Elks Lodge #1853 held a veterans’ appreciation ceremony and dinner for their veteran members and families with 65 veterans, members and guests in attendance. To open the ceremony, Danielle Soles, Exalted Ruler, introduced local Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts for the presentation of the flag. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, the scouts presented the lodge with the folded flag and asked that they fly it over their lodge in honor of their veteran members, both past and present. Lodge member and veteran James McWhorter shared his memories and thoughts on being a veteran and noted that veterans are a special group because they have a tremendous amount of responsibility at a young age. Kayleigh Torres sang, “I Won’t Let Go,” by Rascal Flatts. Everyone was invited to stay afterward for a meal.