Utah Elks Host Little Warriors at Camp Wapiti
The first Little Warriors Camp at the Utah Elks Camp Wapiti in Tooele, Utah was held July 19th and 20th. There are none who have given as much as the families of the fallen; children and parents of fallen Warriors who have lost their life in battle or by suicide after returning from combat. In collaboration with the Utah Elks Association, Hand in Hand and American Heroes, more than two dozen children and their families went to the camp for a weekend retreat.
The main goal of everyone was the hopes that there could be some healing for these families and to show them that they are not forgot for their sacrifice. An event of this magnitude requires diverse community of volunteers to be successful and they came throughout the state to make it happen; the Utah National Guard brought BB gun range, medical staff from Dugway Proving Ground, meals purchased by Kiwanis of Tooele, Arts and Crafts by Home Depot of Tooele and lots and swimming at the camp to name a few of the events. Robert Pagnani Utah Elks Veterans Chairman hope that this will become an annual event in cooperation and made possible due to the generosity and dedication to service from the Utah Elks Association and many other organizations.
Events like this “Little Warriors Camp” and others we host can only provide a day or two away from the stress and anxiety that losing a father, son, daughter or mom must surely create, but it is our way of trying as we strive to make this a better community for all of us to live in and remind these incredible families that we will never forget them and the great price they have paid for the price of freedom. Elks will always remember “As long as there are Veterans the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks will never forget them”