Our Military & Veterans

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Written by Bill Morehouse

Under the direction of Ken Fabiani, PER, Veterans Chair, and Bill Morehouse, program coordinator, the Zephyrhills Elks Lodge Veterans Committee continues to use the Elks National Veterans Service Commission Welcome Home Kit program to furnish veterans’ homes as they settle into their new homes upon completion of a recovery program. Furnishings and household items are provided through donations and purchases funded from the kit program.

On April 26, veteran David Thorpe had the bedroom in his new shared home furnished with help from the lodge's Antlers youth group. When he saw the Antlers and families and advisors roll up with a trailer full of furniture, his eyes opened wide in amazement and he smiled from ear to ear! Everyone jumped in to help him set up his new home.

Pictured are Linnea Fonslet, Antler; Anne McDonald, Antlers advisor; David Thorpe, veteran; Bill Morehouse, lodge Welcome Home Kit coordinator; and Skyler Oberman, Dane Fonslet and Mikel Oberman, Antlers.

On May 3, 2025, veteran Ronald Link had his new home furnished by the Lodge’s Veterans Committee with help from the Lodge's Antlers youth group. When he saw the Elks, Antlers, and the Antlers family and advisors arrive with a trailer full of furniture, he practically ran down the stairs of his second-floor apartment!

Pictured are Matthew Collins and Joe Collins, volunteers; Skyler Oberman and Mikel Oberman, Antlers; Mike Calabrese, Bill Morehouse’s nephew; Ron Link, veteran; Bill Morehouse, lodge Welcome Home Kit coordinator; and Charles Foust, Antlers Advisor.

“This has turned a terrible day into a great day!” That’s what veteran Daniel Ross said May 7 when he saw Bill Morehouse and his nephew, Mike Calabrese, show up with a trailer full of furniture and household items for his new apartment. Incredibly thankful, he helped them unload the trailer and fill up his empty apartment. 

Pictured are Mike Calabrese, volunteer; Daniel Ross, veteran; and Bill Morehouse lodge Welcome Home Kit coordinator.

On May 25, veteran Kevin Walker had his new apartment furnished after he left a homeless shelter. He didn’t realize how much help he was about to receive until he saw Bill Morehouse arrive with a trailer full of furniture. He was overwhelmed by the support.

Bill Morehouse and Kevin Walker are pictured.

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Written by Anthony D'Abbraccio, PER

On May 26, Parrish Elks Lodge #2889 held its second annual Memorial Day ceremony at the Parrish Cemetery. There were 55 attendees, including 25 lodge members, four members of the Parrish Cemetery Association Board of Directors, and 26 family members and friends of Elks, Cemetery Association board members, and veterans buried at the cemetery. Carol Ann Felts, Manatee County District 1 County Commissioner, and her assistant, Selena, were also present. Colonel Richard Tatem, retired Air Force, was again the guest speaker. His 31-minute speech had two themes — "Be your wingman's keeper" and "Stop trying to be right and instead try to be helpful." Afterward, family members of veterans buried at the cemetery received a flag to place at their loved one’s gravesite. This was followed by all other attendees placing flags at the remaining veterans’ gravesites.

Pictured are some of the ceremony attendees.

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Written by Tallahassee Elks

Tallahassee Elks Lodge #937 donated its Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant to the Tallahassee Veterans Outreach group, which organized and hosted the annual Tallahassee Veterans Stand Down on the Florida A&M University campus May 16-17. Veterans who are disadvantaged or homeless are invited to receive free meals and interface with city, county and other government offices that offer free or low-cost services to them. North Florida Legal Services, the Red Cross, the local VA clinic, a barber, a veterinarian and other community entities were on hand to be of assistance.

Elks pictured serving breakfast May 17 are Linda and Lee Fish and Tom Walden, PDD, Secretary.

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Written by Lakeland Elks

On May 15, Lakeland Elks Lodge #1291 held a fundraising event for Armed Forces Day. Members prepared lasagna and sausage dinners, raffled 12 baskets and held a 50/50 drawing, all which raised $2,300 for future veterans’ functions.

Pictured are Johnny Francks, member; Steve Masterson, PER; and Vicky Crosby, member.

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Written by Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks

During the Kentucky Derby event May 3, Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks Lodge #2855 held a fundraiser for Jackson's Gifts, a charitable initiative that rewards a child aging out of the foster care system and entering a branch of the United States armed forces. The $1,563 collected will be awarded to a candidate graduating from boot camp in August.

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Written by Taz WrightReynolds, PER

On May 26, Crestview Elks Lodge members joined the community for the annual wreath-laying ceremony at the Okaloosa County Veterans Memorial in Memorial Park in Crestview to honor the military personnel who gave their lives in service of this nation. The ceremony featured a moment of silence, brief remarks and the playing of taps in tribute to the fallen.

Pictured are trustee Shirley Johnson and Leading Knight Dave Rodriguez, who placed the wreath on behalf of the lodge. Also representing the lodge were Deb McMullen, Exalted Ruler; Traci Medlock, board president; and Larry Medlock, chaplain.