Manasota Elks Lodge member Jim Klocke, PER was one of 30 honorees who received the second annual Congressional Veteran Commendation Award at a ceremony Nov. 8 in Lithia. Congressman Vern Buchanan established the award to honor the wartime sacrifices and peacetime community involvement of veterans in Florida’s 16th congressional district. Klocke served in the U.S. Coast Guard from 1968 to 1974 during the Vietnam War with Search and Rescue, where he received his U.S. Merchant Marine Officer Captains 50-ton license. He also received the Good Conduct Medal and National Defense Service Medal. He serves as Lodge Veterans Chair and uses Elks National Foundation grants to help veterans. He is also involved with the Manatee County Veterans Council.
Pictured are Buchanan and Klocke.