The Los Banos Elks Lodge's luncheon for military veterans on Thursday wasn’t tied to any national holiday -- Memorial Day was in May, Veterans Day is in November.</p><p>But for members of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks honoring and helping those who served in uniform isn't a matter of calendar, it is tradition.</p><p>There were about 80 people from the community and other cities on the west side attending the luncheon -- the third such event sponsored by local Elks members -- many of them veterans and their wives.</p><p>"The Elks have always wanted to do something to try to unite the community with veterans in a positive way," said Past Exalted Ruler Raul Gutierrez, who organized the first luncheon last year during his term as Exalted Ruler of the local lodge.</p><p>"We wanted to get them together to let them know who is who," he said. "Many of these guys don't get to meet each other unless it’s at a funeral."</p><p>Prior to the meal, the lodge's current Exalted Ruler, Richard Barcellos, outlined the Elks history of helping veterans, a tradition that began during World War I.</p><p>Barcellos said an "Elks war relief commission" established in 1917 by the Grand Lodge evolved into what is now the Elks National Veterans Service Commission.</p><p>In 1918 the organization built a 700 bed hospital in Boston and donated it to the federal government, he said. Elks also helped fund the Salvation Army’s work for servicemen during "The Great War."</p><p>Barcellos said the GI Bill, which funds veterans' education, has its roots in a program started by the Elks to help disabled veterans. The national commission has also sent gift packs to military personnel serving overseas during World War I, the Vietnam War, Operation Desert Storm and most recently the Iraq War.</p><p>The Elks have also hosted blood drives, given financial aid to military families and began the "Letters from Home" program.</p><p>"The Elks hold veterans in high esteem as evidenced by their actions," Barcellos said. "Our pledge reads 'As long as there are veterans, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks will never forget them.'"</p><p>The local lodge is planning to dedicate a flag pole for the MIA/POW flag at the San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery later this year. Barcellos said plans for installation of the pole have already been approved by the federal government. Gutierrez said another veterans luncheon will be held in Los Banos sometime in November.</p><p>"It's kind of nice to do it," he said. "I'd like for it to grow."