On Jan. 24, Orlando Elks Lodge #1079 hosted a stop along the eight-day Brotherhood Ride’s route. Each year, first responders make a bicycle ride throughout Florida to honor the state’s first responders who died in the line of duty the previous year. Orlando Lodge hosted the event to honor fallen officer Deputy Craig Seijos and Field Service Officer David Grassi of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. During the event, the lodge donated $1,000 each to their widows, Ida Seijos and Nancy Grassi. The lodge also donated $1,000 to the Brotherhood Ride organization. The lodge provided dinner, refreshments, entertainment, breakfast and lodging for all the cyclists and guests. Larry Lockwood, Leading Knight, chaired the event. He is a retired lieutenant with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. Carmen Rivera, lodge trustee and Master Deputy with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, said, “All in all, this is a wonderful event but it’s also a very sad one. Our Leading Knight, Larry Lockwood, and I both worked with Deputy Craig Seijos for many years and he was definitely a great guy, hard worker, and a good family man. This Brotherhood Ride is just a reminder that we will never forget the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice of giving their life in the line of duty.”

Pictured are members Diane Collen, Carmen Rivera, Betty Mocher, Ralph Bemos, Millie Dewitt, and Robert Dewitt; Major Marilu Santana, Orange County Sheriff’s Office liaison to the deceased’s family; Larry Lockwood, Leading Knight, event chair; Ida Sejios and her daughter, Jessica Sejios; and members Barbara Lockwood, Gail Stewart, and Cristina Adkins. Pictured serving meals are Cheryl Melvin, Diane Collen, Cherry Marshal, Diane Politi, Barbara Lockwood, Josse Havens, Millie Dewitt and Gail Stewart. Ida Seijos is at the right.