Our Military & Veterans

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Written by Ginny Young

On Feb. 15, Fort Pierce Elks Lodge #1520 donated $4,000 from its Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant to Dedicated Devoted Solutions for Veterans (DDS4Vets). Pictured is JJ Johnson, PDD, Lodge Advisor, presenting a check to Walter Evans, director of DDS4Vets. The lodge previously donated $5,000 to this organization Jan. 13 that it raised from a golf tournament held Nov. 5 at the Indian Hills Golf Course in Fort Pierce.

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Written by JoAnn Reddy

On Jan. 20, Chris Blauvelt and his wife visited Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks Lodge #2855 to thank the Veterans Committee for their contributions and efforts in raising $5,500 from a dinner and show, which was allocated to the home being built for them by Homes For Our Troops. The organization builds specially adapted custom homes for injured veterans to enable them to rebuild their lives. The lodge was one of many organizations that contributed funds to help build his special home.

Pictured are Chris Blauvelt and his wife (fifth and sixth from right) with members from the Veterans Committee.

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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.