The Open House to honor and record the histories of Veterans will again be held at Raleigh Elks Lodge #735 on Saturday, May 9, 2009, located at 5538 Lead Mine Rd in Raleigh. Interview times are scheduled from 10:00 am to 3:00 PM.

The “Veterans History Day Celebration” is co-sponsored with the National Veterans History Archival Institute (NVHAI) offering each veteran an opportunity to record their military histories from all the wars of our country. Both active and reserve duty veterans are encouraged to attend during Veterans Open Houses sponsored by the Elks according to Dave Milidonis, NVHAI Founder. A total of two hundred fifty-six veterans have recorded their histories during the past Elk Open Houses. Veterans’ families are encouraged to witness the recording sessions, hosted by trained Elk interviewers. Four recording studios are available in the Lodge during the day. A copy of the DVD will be forwarded to the families at no cost. Veterans who have maintained copies and complementary awards and citations, such as letters, diaries, maps photographs,and home movies of the experiences are also most welcome. A copy of the completed DVD is also forwarded to the Congressional Library of Congress and the NVHAI for permanent retention.

As a reminder, open interviews will be conducted between 10:00 am and 3:00 PM on Saturday May 9, 2009. To sign up for a specific interview time slot, email your request to dmilidonis@aol.com or call 919-449-5440.

Note: Please email the number of family members in your party to aid in our table reservations in the Annex dining room.

The Elks Lodge again thanks all veterans for there sacrifices and services to our country!

Dean R. Kenny, Elks PR, 919-954-9782, (skipperkenny@yahoo.com)