Plant City Lodge member Judy Wise is extremely dedicated to veterans causes. For the third year, she and fellow lodge members organized the annual “Plant City Honors our Veterans and Active Military” event, held Nov. 14 at the TECO Expo Hall at the Strawberry Festival Grounds in Plant City, Florida. It was considered to be one of the largest veterans events in Hillsborough County. Wise starts with the $2,500 Elks National Foundation Freedom Grant and builds on this with community and Elk involvement and contributions as well as the support of local dignitaries. The event had 485 in attendance. Most were veterans with their significant others, and they all received a free meal of barbecued pulled pork, macaroni and cheese, and slaw. Elks Past National President and Plant City Lodge member, Michael Smith, shared some Elk history, local Durant High School Air Force JROTC gave the presentation of colors, and Plant City’s Scout Pack 744 walked on the stage with U.S. military flags representing each branch of service. Florida State Senator and former executive director of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Danny Burgess, was the keynote speaker. As a token of appreciation, Wise was presented the Chaplaincy Care Coin of Excellence typically only presented to first responders and military members. She said, “the veterans are my heart, they always have been.”

Pictured are Mayor Rick Lott, who is also a lodge member; Judy Wise; and Chaplain Dan Middlebrooks.

Also pictured are four veterans who received Quilts of Honor — Robert Johnson, Vietnam helicopter pilot and Plant City Lodge member; Carl Dekle, 100-year-old World War II Marine veteran; John Wolfe, 97-year-old Petty Officer 3rd Class World War II Navy veteran; and Jerry Goss, Lt. Col. Air Force.