On June 11, Tampa Lodge’s Veterans Services Committee held its first of four events that will be covered using the Elks National Foundation Freedom Grant. Shelagh Gombarcik, PER set up a fishing trip at Ballast Point Park on Old Tampa Bay. She reserved a shelter and the long pier and arranged for lunch and plenty of soft drinks and water. Jose Remon, Lodge Veterans Services Chair, purchased the bait and poles. Five veterans from Liberty Manor for Veterans participated, as did three veterans from James A. Haley VA Domiciliary. These transitioning veterans had been on COVID lockdown and could not have participated if it had been an indoor activity. Even so, staffing issues kept the number small. Each of the veterans were given a new Zebco fishing rod to use and keep. It was a very warm day, so after a couple of hours which yielded only three pin fish, the group decided to head in for the iconic Tampa Cuban sandwich and chips for lunch. The shade of the shelter was most welcome.

Pictured with Edie Hanley, Lecturing Knight, are Liberty Manor veterans Mark Hodge and Richard Collins. Also pictured are Shelagh Gombarcik, PER escorting the domiciliary veterans down the pier.