The Elks have a motto: "As long as there are veterans, they shall never be forgotten." Pat Duffy wants to make sure that never happens around here.

Duffy, the exalted ruler for Wheeling Lodge 28, said he is proud to carry on the tradition that began during World War II when the Elks became the first organization to set up a veterans hospital.

Duffy recently was given the Veterans Volunteer of the Year award for West Virginia for his efforts in promoting patriotism and improving the lives of area military veterans.

The award was announced at the West Virginia Elks Association's annual convention at the Canaan Valley Resort in Davis, W.Va.

While America will celebrate its 233rd birthday today, the Elks know that fostering patriotic spirit and caring for those who protect our nation is a year-round job.

In addition to their annual Flag Day program, Duffy and Lodge 28 partner each year with the VFW and American Legion to celebrate Veterans' Day.

Duffy said he tries to present a plaque to anyone he sees flying an American flag on their property.

Duffy said he was somewhat surprised to receive the award, considering there are many more opportunities to help veterans in Mountain State cities like Clarksburg and Huntington that are home to Veterans Affairs hospitals.

But he said the need for special care for veterans is constantly growing.

"We try to do whatever we can," he said.

Veteran assistance programs that Duffy and the Elks participate in include the Students for Veterans program, in which students from several area schools collect toiletries and other supplies to deliver to the Clarksburg VA hospital; finding books that people are ready to discard and donating them to the VA hospital; and the Adopt-a-Veteran program, which involves sending cards to participating veterans and taking them out for a special lunch or dinner on their birthday.