St. Maarten Lions Club celebrated 45 years of Service.

Under theme “Remembering our Lions with Pride” St. Maarten Lions Club President Eldert Louisa thanked all 39 club presidents that had served before him. Some of members served 2 terms as President. The evening was very special as the last remaining charter member Lion Frank Arnell of the St. Maarten Lions Club was present at the dinner. Lion Frank along with 21 other men charted the club on December 12th, 1970. The sponsoring club back then was the Lions Club from Bonaire although the process was started by the Lions Club of Curacao.

The St. Maarten Lions Club choose to honor Lion Frank Arnell with a Progressive Melvin Jones Award for his years of service and for being the last charter member of the club. “I am totally surprised of this wonderful honor that the St. Maarten Lions Club has bestowed on me” said Lion Frank.

The Melvin Jones Fellowship is the highest form of recognition that a Lion can receive for their charitable work.  Another special guest that was present at the dinner was Past President Lion Cyril Hazel who served as head of the club in 1981-82. He shared some of the old time stories from when he served as a member of the St. Maarten Lions Club before he became ill and could not serve any longer.

The celebration of the 45^th anniversary concluded with stories from of Past District Governors Lion Wally Havertong, Lion Maxime Larmonie and Lion Frank Arnell along with a formal recognition by Prime Minister William Marlin and the Lions District Governor Marvin Grant who flew in from Tortola especially for the 45^th Anniversary celebration.