Our Military & Veterans

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Written by Judy Wise

On Nov. 10, Plant City Elks Lodge #1727 with the backing of the City of Plant City, Historic Plant City Main Street and the Chamber of Commerce came together to present the second annual barbecue for veterans and active military. The event was held in the TECO Expo Hall at the Strawberry Festival Grounds with nearly 400 people in attendance. There were 278 veterans and their spouses and children. Ten World War II veterans were honored. It was also the 244th birthday of the Marines and they performed the cake ceremony in which the oldest Marine cuts the cake first and gives it to the youngest Marine. The oldest Marine, 97, came in a full-dress uniform and the youngest, 27, is a Plant City police officer. U.S. Congressman Ross Spano sang the national anthem and spoke about the importance of veterans. Captain Danny Burgess, Executive Director of Florida Department of Veterans Affairs, and Mark Stephens, a veteran from U.S. Special Forces, Delta Force, also spoke. Stephens was a participant in the tragic Black Hawk Down incident in Mogadishu; as a retired veteran, he is Executive Director of Task Force Dagger. He has just returned from Saipan where he and his team retrieved remains of American soldiers. The theme was "Tie a Yellow Ribbon 'round the Old Oak Tree," so Elks, Scouts and high school honor students tied nearly 1,000 yellow ribbons downtown and on the main streets. The event honored veterans, active military members, POW-MIAs and the 22 veterans each day we lose to suicide. The Elks received accolades from the mayor, vice mayor, city commissioners, citizens and veterans. Volunteers included Elks, a high school color guard, Boy Scouts, and children and grandchildren of Elks.

World War II Marine veteran Carl Dekle, 97, cuts a cake and gives the first piece to the youngest Marine, police officer Yarley Vasallo, 27, at Plant City’s barbecue for veterans and active military sponsored by Plant City Lodge, City of Plant City, Historic Plant City Main Street and the Chamber of Commerce Nov. 10.

An unidentified veteran kneels at the POW-MIA table.

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Written by Pompano Beach Elks

On Nov. 2 at the District Deputy visitation at Oakland Park Lodge, Frank Sellers of Pompano Beach Lodge provided laundry baskets to each lodge and challenged them to fill them with food to be delivered to the nearest veterans’ center. He and PDD Charlotte Burrie delivered the baskets to Trudis Perez, Director of Veterans’ Services at the Pompano Beach Veterans Center. Pictured are Burrie and Perez.

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Written by Boca Raton Elks

Boca Raton Elks Lodge #2166 held its annual Christmas party Dec. 14. Raffles were held and $300 was used to purchase canteen tickets for the residents in the Palm Beach Veterans’ Hospital. The lodge obtained 200 decks of playing cards for veterans, and the Boca Raton Firefighters’ Benevolence Association donated 60 packages of socks to be distributed to the Miami Veterans’ Hospital. Pictured are Lodge Veterans' Chairman, Rick Haradon; Boca Raton Firefighter/Paramedic Chief and Lodge member, Aaron Oatley; Exalted Ruler, Tito Young; Boca Raton Firefighter/Paramedic, Alex Kennedy; and VAVS representative to the Miami VA Hospital, Billy Green. 

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Written by Rachael King

On Dec. 12, Zephyrhills Lodge furnished two more veterans’ homes – William Anderson and Anthony Givens – the 24th and 25th veterans. They both received a sofa, two recliners, coffee table, end tables, bed, lamps, microwaves, pots and pans, dishes, flatware, bath and kitchen towels, coffee maker, cookies, coffee, clothes, dining room table, chairs, and kitchen utensils. Pictured are Jay Klamer, Leading Knight; Anderson; Givens; and Tom Pete and PER Ken Fabiani.

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Written by PER Ken Fabiani

On Dec. 5, Zephyrhills Lodge furnished their 23rd veteran’s new home. Herbert Jennings greeted the Elks with open arms surprised to see everything they had for his home – a sofa bed, bath and dish towels, coffee maker and coffee, dishes, pots and pans, personal hygiene items, dish set, silverware, cups and glasses, and a laptop for him to advance his education. For the holiday spirit, the elks also donated Christmas cookies and more coffee which had him smiling. Pictured with Jennings is PER Ken Fabiani.

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Written by Becky Wills

Viera Elks Lodge #2817 continued their support of Operation Shoe Box, an organization whose goal is to provide practical support to American troops deployed overseas and returning home by providing care packages and letters of encouragement as well as supplies for veterans who are homeless. On Dec. 13, the annual Soups, Stews & Chowders Competition raised $182 for the organization.