The Lions Club of Land O’Lakes Roar

Nawar El Khouri Hage | Aug 14, 2024

Scrolling through the endless posts of Facebook, one post caught my eyes. A story of a school teacher who asked that, upon her death, mourners bring backpacks that would be donated to less-privileged students, in lieu of flowers. What an inspiring message did she bring in by applying her life mission of caring for children’s education past her life on earth! How often can an individual arrive to the death bed with the same determination to serve that was practiced throughout one’s life on earth? The notion of living and dying in the service of humanity brought some thoughts to mind, and I found myself drifting into the world of a young, 38 year old Melvin Jones, in 1917.

It was a time of war, the First World War to be specific, and misery engulfed the minds and hearts of all. Over 30 countries joined the war efforts, bloodshed on all scales, and to add to what was already a massive situation of hopelessness, the economic recession that started at the onset of the war left all in poverty.

During those darkened days, a young man suggested forming clubs that serve their communities, and with time those carried the name of Lions Clubs International. He passed away at the age of 83, in 1961, leaving a legacy beyond his death that is summarized by his own words: "You can't get very far until you start doing something for somebody else".

Sometimes, often too many times, out of hardship arises the beacon of hope. Quite often we seem to forget, living in beautiful cities and regions that we are here because others, before us and around us, served.

And so, from the story of an educator who bore her service past her death comes the reminder of a man whose legacy continues beyond the years, and from there arises the final stance of this Roar, the recognition to every veteran, living or passed who allowed us to forget the hardships of the wars.

Our new project, as a club, is one that honours, in fact celebrates, the service, devotion and sacrifices of our veterans. They exceeded the words of Melvin Jones, in giving to somebody else; and for them we dream of highways and little streets lined up with banners carrying their names.

Till we meet again in a Roar, watch for meteor showers and Northern Lights, walk barefoot on wet grass, listen to the calls of the loons, and join us on the 28th of August as we welcome, together with the Cloyne and District Historical Society, our guest speaker Alana Free at the Land O’Lakes Speakers’ Forum.