Our Military & Veterans

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Written by Ronna Mason, PER

On Jan. 31, Sarah Carter, a member of Sebring Elks Lodge #1529, presented a $1,000 check to Colonel Michael Borders (U.S. Army retired), chair of the Florida Medal of Honor Memorial Inc. Funds from the Florida State Elks Association matching grant were used. The mission of the Florida Medal of Honor Memorial & Museum is "to construct and maintain a perpetual memorial and museum that honors the Florida Medal of Honor recipients (of which there are currently 24) and ensures that they are never forgotten." The memorial will be located in downtown Sebring at 442 S. Eucalyptus St. In 1990, the U.S. Congress designated March 25 as National Medal of Honor Day. Therefore, to coincide with this date, on March 25, 2023, there will be a memorial ribbon-cutting, and on March 25, 2024, there will be a museum ribbon-cutting when the museum opens.

Pictured are Sarah Carter, FMOHM secretary; Colonel Michael Borders, FMOHM chair; and Don Laycock, FMOHM project manager.

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Written by Ken Fabiani, PER

Zephyrhills Lodge furnished the 223rd veteran’s home using a Welcome Home Kit when Brian Little moved in to his new home in south Tampa Feb. 6. The Veterans Committee has been working hard for the past three years to make this possible, along with support from members and friends.

Pictured are volunteer Howard Lunsford and Brian Little.

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Written by Christie Easton

On Jan. 25, Mandarin-St. Johns Elks Lodge #2866 donated $2,000 from its Elks National Foundation Spotlight Grant to K9s for Warriors. This organization is the largest provider of service dogs for disabled American veterans. Representatives from K9s for Warriors brought a service dog in training to the lodge for a presentation to increase awareness and funding.

Pictured are Stephanie Yogt, K9 for Warriors community relations manager; Gail, K9 for Warriors volunteer dog trainer; Todd Ericksen, member; and Donna Royall, Exalted Ruler. Also pictured is the service dog in training.

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Written by Bobbie Vance

On Jan. 25, Cocoa Beach Elks Lodge #2387 reached a milestone of providing a total of 607 Welcome Home Kits, valued at $163,364 worth of supplies for veterans who are homeless and transitioning to permanent housing. The lodge is ranked second in the nation for the number of veterans served with these kits. Each month, lodge volunteers shop with veterans, who are humbled and thankful to have assistance getting their homes started. The lodge coordinates with Volunteers of America in Cocoa, Housing for Homeless in Rockledge, Support Services for Veterans Families in Cocoa and Dollar General Store Manager John Swartout in Cocoa Beach. The Welcome Home Kit program is funded by the Elks National Veterans Service Commission.

Pictured are a thankful veteran and member Linda Ireland; member and Army veteran Dan Burger with a veteran; and a veteran with his family after shopping for their Welcome Home Kits.

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Written by Shirley Thompson

Bonita Springs-Estero Elks Lodge #2753 hosted its annual car show Jan. 21 to benefit the Army of Hope. Thirty-one Elks volunteered at the event. The show featured 88 cars from both members and nonmembers. There were six classes from the 1900s to 2023, stock and modified, and best of show. The event included an Elks membership table as well as T-shirt sales, a chance auction and two 50/50 drawings. The opening ceremony was performed by the Guns n Hoses Pipes n Drums, a group of first responders wearing kilts marching and playing bagpipes. The event raised $6,880.39 for the Army of Hope.

Pictured are Jack Chickerillo (a member of Oak Lawn/Chicago Ridge, IL Lodge #2254 waiting to demit to Lodge #2753) and Pete Thompson, PER raising the flag and members of the Guns n Hoses Pipes n Drums.

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Written by Rita Smith

On Jan. 28, eight veterans from New Beginnings joined approximately 250 Tampa Elks Lodge members celebrating Gasparilla in Tampa, Florida. The day included breakfast, games, a boat parade, and bag lunches and soft drinks.

The veterans are pictured with Debbie Brennan, Lodge Veterans Committee Secretary (fourth from left); Rita Smith, Exalted Ruler (sixth from left); José Remon, Lodge Veterans Committee Chair (second from right); and member Norman Benzing (far right).