Our Military & Veterans

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Written by Taz WrightReynolds, PER

On July 18, Fort Walton Elks Lodge #1795 donated its $1,000 Elks National Veterans Service Commission Freedom Grant to One Hopeful Place, whose mission is to provide programs and services for those seeking self-sufficiency. These include a day program, cold night shelter, health screenings, transportation, and a safe space to park overnight for those who live in their vehicles. The lodge donation will be used to help veterans who use these programs and services.

Pictured are Paul Eubanks, PER, trustee; Sherry Elizabeth Jones, community & public relations director; and Elk Ted Corcoran, president/CEO of Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce. Also pictured is a sign thanking donors, including the Elks.

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Written by Ormond Beach Elks

Ormond Beach Elks Lodge #2193 used lodge charity funds to provide a barbecue lunch for Barracks of Hope residents May 27. Barracks of Hope provides transitional housing to male and female veterans who have struggled with homelessness, addiction and mental health. Pictured are Mark and Sue Harter, lodge members; Joe Brozyna, Exalted Ruler; Steve Brozyna, trustee; Robert York of Barracks of Hope; Mike Chandler, PDD, VPAL; Paul Christie of Barracks of Hope; Scott Gutauckis, Veterans Committee Chair; and Tonia Klokow, lodge member.

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Written by Taz WrightReynolds, PER

Pensacola Beach Elks Lodge #497 held a Forgotten Warrior Program event July 18 at The Blake at Pensacola. The lodge uses its $3,000 Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant and lodge donations to put on this monthly event. Lodge member Carey Seigle began this program about 3 years ago. The committee holds monthly coffees and guest speaker gatherings for veterans, and during the holidays, they provide gifts for the veterans and their spouses and widows. Petty Officer John Farill, U.S. Navy Seabee, was the guest speaker. He shared the history of blue and white naval hats that records, noting that the blue flat was authorized in 1852 and was used long after white headgear was introduced as an alternative in 1886. In the 1950s and 1960s, hats were still a part of Navy attire, but they were rarely seen. The Navy officially retired the flat hat April 1, 1963.

Petty Officer John Farill is pictured with his original cap from enlistment, which was later replaced by a white hat.

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Written by Rita Smith, PER

On July 12, the Tampa Lodge Veterans Services Committee hosted nine veterans from New Beginnings of Tampa for a prime rib dinner, complete with stuffed mushrooms as an appetizer and peach cobbler for dessert. One of the volunteer servers was Elks National Foundation Legacy Scholarship recipient Morgan McDaniel. The funds for the meal came from fundraising by the committee and donations from Elks. New Beginnings is a rehabilitation center currently housing 57 transitional veterans. Approximately 30% will likely return to the workforce and the rest will retire or be declared disabled. The goal is for all of them to transition to permanent housing. Many veterans arrive at New Beginnings with nothing but the clothes on their backs. They accept donations of new or gently used men’s clothing.

The veterans are pictured at the dinner table. Also pictured are veteran Michael Little and Morgan McDaniel.

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Written by Joy Kauffman

On July 9, Seminole Elks Lodge #2519 donated $1,000 to David Creighton from Valor Preserve at Lake Seminole and Neil Brickfield, Executive Director of the Pinellas Housing Authority. Valor Preserve is a new affordable Pinellas County housing development for veterans who have been honorably discharged as well as elderly, disabled or homeless Pinellas County residents.

Pictured are David Creighton; David Haggadone, Exalted Ruler ; and Neil Brickfield.

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Written by Naples Elks

On June 5, Naples Lodge delivered 33 $100 gift cards to Warrior Homes of Collier County, using the $1,000 Elks National Veterans Service Commission Freedom Grant and $2,300 from the lodge charity fund.

Pictured are Greg Tinsley, WHCC; Barbara Salkow, WHCC Board of Directors; Brian Kamp, Lodge Grants Coordinator; Arlene Hansen, Lodge Secretary; and Kim Lebetz, Lodge Treasurer.