Our Military & Veterans

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Written by Frank Kuczkowski, PER

Port Orange Elks Lodge #2723 celebrates monthly birthdays at Emory L. Bennett Memorial Veterans Nursing Home in Daytona Beach, Florida. Veterans look forward to and enjoy cake, ice cream and soda every month. Pictured Sept. 25 are Dan Theodore, PER; Jerry Peterson, PER, VAMC representative; Frank Kuczkowski, PER; and Calvin Tanck, therapy aide supervisor of the facility.

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Written by Brian Estus, PER

Using $800 from the lodge’s veterans fund which was donated by a member, the West Citrus Elks Lodge #2693 Veterans Committee provided flags with standards for each of the eight assisted living facilities which they support in Citrus County, Florida. Pictured Sept. 9 are Becky Jones, Mike Vaughn, Frank Hayes, Joanne Hepner, Edna Piermann, Donna Hayes, Dave Kaczanowski, Orlan Hayes, Bill Shay, Jim Ducey, Dick Harper, Jill Jeroski, Ron Powell, Dan Nichols, Rick Jeroski.

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Written by Kermit Forbes, PER

Merritt Island Lodge received the Elks National Foundation Spotlight Grant and used $1,200 of its $2,000 to stock a food pantry at the Volunteers of America (VOA) in Cocoa, Florida, that provides for veterans. Kermit Forbes, PER stocked the pantry Aug. 5 and Aug. 28. The lodge plans to continue with this endeavor. Pictured are John Walsh, VOA; Forbes; and a summer college intern at VOA whose name was not available. 

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Written by Oakland Park Elks

On Sept. 19, Oakland Park Elks Lodge #2407 used its $2,500 Elks National Foundation Freedom Grant to help local veterans through the Vietnam Veterans of America, an organization that supports veterans with a focus on homelessness. The lodge supported the survival bags project by providing more than 30 bags and supplies. These bags are distributed to male and female veterans who are experiencing homelessness. The bags consisted of a string backpack, two water bottles, a Mylar survival blanket, deodorant, sunscreen, toothpaste, a toothbrush, a mini bar of soap, mini shampoo, mini conditioner, mini body wash, a package of pocket-sized Kleenex, socks, BAND-AIDS, a VA crisis line emergency card, granola bars, trail mix bars, Welch’s Fruit Snacks, and a package of cheddar cheese crackers. A hairbrush and feminine hygiene products were also included for women.

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Written by Bradenton Elks

On Sept. 3, Bradenton Lodge made a $500 donation to Operation Outdoor Freedom in Arcadia, Florida. The funds were raised through various Lodge Veterans Committee events this lodge year. Operation Outdoor Freedom is supported by the Florida Agriculture Commission and administered by the Florida Forest Service. The organization provides recreational and rehabilitative opportunities for wounded veterans on state forest, agricultural and private lands throughout the state at no cost. Pictured are Mike Porter, director and manager of the Arcadia property, and Bill Rauh, Lodge Veterans Committee Chair.

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Written by Rita Smith

The members of the Tampa Elks Lodge Veterans Committee chaired by Patty Jankiewicz were frustrated that they could no longer visit the VA or have any veterans from VA centers come enjoy dinner at the Lodge. Jankiewicz contacted the recreation director at the James A. Haley Domiciliary, Ryan Nitzsche, and asked about sending a meal to them instead. Nitzsche was instantly on board, as the COVID restrictions made life in “the dom” pretty bleak and the veterans had not been able to feel the support they usually receive from the community. The committee hired Courtney’s Custom Catering, owned by member Courtney Weil, PER, to cater the meal. Each of the 15 veterans were asked to select the meat, sides, desserts, and drink choices they wished to order. On Aug. 20, Weil delivered the food to the parking lot which was as close as she was allowed to get. But she did not just drop off 15 meals — she delivered 15 servings of everything! There were 15 servings of baby back ribs, beef brisket, pulled chicken, bacon green beans, fried okra, baked macaroni and cheese, baked beans, cornbread, peach cobbler, blackberry cobbler, and bread pudding along with plenty of lemonade and iced tea! Nitzsche said the veterans had quite a party and the leftovers were enjoyed all weekend. The bill the committee received for all that food was only $375, $25 per person. Pictured is some of the food that was delivered — brisket, baked macaroni and cheese, and peach and blueberry cobblers.