Our Military & Veterans

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Written by Tom Walden, PDD

On Dec. 18, Tallahassee Elks Lodge opened its doors to help Havana American Legion Post #84 host a free Christmas dinner for homeless veterans as well as other veterans in need and their families. Roast turkey and side dishes were prepared by the local Millers Ale House restaurant. About 120 folks attended the dinner and participated in a bingo game afterward. Lodge officers were on hand to help with set up and host the event.

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Written by Ginny Young

On Dec. 13, Rod Dally, PER, trustee, and Beverly Dally delivered requested supplies to Veterans Volunteer Services in West Palm Beach, Florida, assisting veterans experiencing homelessness. On Dec. 22, they delivered containers of cookies to each of the 20 patients at the new Ardie R. Copas State Veterans' Nursing Home in Port St. Lucie, Florida. Each month, the lodge dedicates the revenue from a night of bar games for their veterans’ fund. Don Pritchett, trustee, recently signed the lodge up as a volunteer at that facility on a weekly basis.

Pictured at the cookie delivery are Don Pritchett, 1-year trustee; Betty Foster, Exalted Ruler; Bev and Rod Dally, Veterans Co-Chairs; Deb Doherty, founder of DDS4Vets, which helps veterans who are returning home or who have PTSD and trains dogs for veterans; and Gail Van Horn.

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Written by Taz WrightReynolds, PER

On Dec. 17, members of Fort Walton Lodge participated in the Wreaths Across America event at Beal Memorial Cemetery in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Along with veterans’ groups, they assisted in laying 1,300 remembrance wreaths on the graves of veterans and saying the name of every veteran aloud. This annual endeavor has three missions — to remember the fallen, to honor those who serve and to teach children the value of freedom.

Pictured in the front row are Mark Wynn, Inner Guard; Marcia WrightReynolds, Lecturing Knight; and Collette Willey. In the back row are Blake Humphries; Paul Willey, PER, 4-year trustee, “Taz” WrightReynolds, PER, Exalted Ruler; and Tom McLaughlin, Leading Knight.

“Taz” WrightReynolds is also pictured presenting a remembrance wreath on the grave of his father, MSgt. Donald E. Reynolds, USAF Ret., a veteran of World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

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Written by Taz WrightReynolds, PER

On Dec. 9, Destin Elks Lodge #2688 used part of its Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant of $4,000 and provided numerous gifts to more than 20 veterans who reside at the Clifford Chester Sims State Veterans Nursing Home in Panama City, Florida. Located in Bay County, the home is a modern, state-of-the-art 120-bed facility, which is operated and maintained by the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs.

Pictured are Robert Griffin, Terri Griffin, Henri Kelly and Tami Snow.

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Written by Taz WrightReynolds, PER

On Dec. 19, Pensacola Elks Lodge #497 utilized its Elks National Foundation Freedom Grant of $3,000 and added monies from the lodge charity account for a total of $4,689 to provide more than 100 gifts to the veterans and their spouses residing in four assisted living facilities — The Blake at Pensacola, The Waterford at Carpenter’s Creek, Bayside Health & Rehabilitation Center, and The Camellia at Gulf Breeze. This partnership and lodge commitment with these facilities will continue throughout the year, including monthly visits to have coffee and doughnuts with the veterans. The lodge is also working with the facility directors for specific needs.

Pictured are Clyde Losey; Charline Wetzel Blake, activity director; Col. Pam McGinty, USAF ret.; Michael Smith; Libby Mayhugh; Amy Loranger; Stanley Tarter; Ken “KB” Branch, PER; Jack Countryman; Shelli Branch; Les Darbyshire; Betty Hooper; Billy Bush; Will Berry; Sgt. Smith, U.S. Army; Capt. A.J., USMC; Kim Taylor; and Carey Seigle. Also pictured are Virginia Tew, 101, who worked at the Pentagon in World War II, and Ken “KB” Branch, PER, and Libby Mayhugh and Col. Pam McGinty, USAF ret.

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Written by Margaret Schnichels

For Veterans Day, Eustis Elks Lodge #1578 invited all veterans from the Fort McCoy Veterans Village and lodge veterans to a free dinner; approximately 55 attended. The dinner was funded by the lodge charity account.

Pictured are three World War II veterans, Leon “Spike” Spychalski, Jake Conn, and Ray Savior, with Ron Locke, PDD, Exalted Ruler (second from left).