They are places where neighbors come together, families share meals, and children grow up. Brotherly Love. These are the cardinal principles of our Order, tenets by which we conduct ourselves. The 1526 is our personal refuge, a place that we call home. It is our comfort, our place of rest. A warm fireplace, a stiff drink, a stocked kitchen and friends to share it with are but one source of our hap
piness, one aspect of our Order. Membership is our privilege. Growth is our reward. Commitment is our lifeblood. The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks maintains a rich and colorful history. Founded in 1868, it has spanned nearly 150 years of dedicated service to individuals and communities in need. It is just one lasting legacy of the Greatest Generation: American Patriots who shed their blood for the freedoms we enjoy today. That Greatest Generation instilled within each of us a sense of duty and sacrifice in favor of a brighter tomorrow, and it is incumbent upon us all to preserve this lesson as an heirloom for future generations. Despite our connection to the veterans of yesteryear, we are not a vet organization. To consider us as such would be a disservice to the thousands of members within our ranks who were not fortunate enough to serve. We are, however, each and every one of us, committed to improving the world in every way possible. We are also a social Order, for with duty comes concession. We work hard to play hard. With Elks, a life of service begets a life of privilege. We are living proof that the best of both worlds can be had. Lodge No. 1526 in Des Plaines, Illinois is the premier lodge of the Chicagoland area and but one chapter of this vast Order. We invite you to peruse our website and hope that you will gain insight into our organization. Perhaps you too will consider joining us as a full-fledged member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
