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Umatilla, FL 32784-0049
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Our Military & Veterans
Jacksonville Elks Place Wreaths for Wreaths Across America
- Details
- Written by Jacksonville Elks
Jacksonville Elks Lodge #221 participated volunteered at the Wreaths Across America event Dec. 16 at the Jacksonville National Cemetery. Lodge volunteers arrived early and helped unbox the wreaths and stage them in front of each row of headstones before the event and attended the ceremony conducted by the local WAA chapter before placing wreaths at gravesites. Jacksonville Elks also raised $684 for this cause.
Pictured are members John Pipkins, Robin Pipkins, Lois Price, Deborah Reedy and Brent Reedy.
Pensacola Beach Elks Lodge Hosts 34th Veterans Day Parade
- Details
- Written by Taz WrightReynolds, PER
Pensacola Beach Elks Lodge #497 hosted its 34th annual Veterans Day parade Nov. 11. The parade chair was Pam McGinty and the co-chair was Frank Papasavas. The Grand Marshall was Colonel Allison Black, commander of the 1st Special Operations Wing, Hurlburt Field, Florida. The lodge hosted a cookout before the parade for all veterans and their spouses, parade drivers, golf cart participants, and volunteers, with assistance from the American Legion Gulf Breeze Post 387. The Ladies of Elks prepared and served side dishes. Each of the approximately 55 parade cars had a banner affixed to it naming the veteran rider and their service. There were more than 60 veterans participating, including a group of veterans from The Blake at Pensacola, an assisted living facility. Numerous groups participated in the parade, including the Gulf Breeze High School band and Air Force JR ROTC, Girl Scouts, MacGuire’s Pipe Band, Patriot Guard, and the Blue Wahoos minor league baseball mascot. A choral group from Pensacola Choral Society and Gulf Breeze Methodist sang the national anthem and “God Bless America.”
Pictured in one of the parade’s cars in Leonard Halseth, retired U.S. Army Special Forces.
Fort Walton Elks Donate to and Place Wreaths for Wreaths Across America
- Details
- Written by Taz WrightReynolds, PER
On Dec. 16, Fort Walton Elks Lodge #1795 donated $2,500 to the local Wreaths Across America organization and participated in distributing and laying 2,000 remembrance wreaths at veterans’ graves at Beal Memorial Cemetery in Fort Walton Beach, while saying each veteran’s name aloud. This annual endeavor aims to remember the fallen, honor those who serve and teach children the value of freedom.
Pictured in the front row are Donna Silva, kitchen manager; Tom Rice, community coordinator; Tom McLaughlin, Exalted Ruler; Linda Mayfield, chaplain; and Mark Wynn, Inner Guard. In the back row are Marcia WrightReynolds, Loyal Knight; trustees Paul Eubanks, PER and Kathy Pacheco; Kathy Houchins, lodge manager; Kevin Clemons, PDD, District Leader; Rob Parks, Leading Knight; Paul Willey, PER, trustee; and Tom Knowles, PER, Lecturing Knight. Also pictured presenting a wreath on a veteran’s grave is Marcia WrightReynolds.
Crestview Elks Lodge Honors Veterans with Meal, Wreath and Flags
- Details
- Written by Taz WrightReynolds, PER
On Nov. 11, Crestview Elks Lodge #2624 provided a free meal to veterans. The lodge also participated in the annual city Veterans Day Memorial Service by presenting a patriotic wreath with the Elks logo. Members also helped CHS JROTC members plant a field of 100 flags in front of Crestview High School.
Pictured are members serving meals to veterans, the wreath and the field of flags.
South Miami/Coral Gables Elks Lodge Fill Backpacks with Supplies for Veterans Experiencing Homelessness
- Details
- Written by South Miami/Coral Gables Elks
On Dec. 21, South Miami/Coral Gables Elks Lodge #1676 delivered 100 backpacks to the Miami VA Healthcare System to be distributed to veterans experiencing homelessness. The backpacks included tents, ponchos, mosquito repellant, unscented baby wipes, toilet paper, socks, various toiletries, protein bars, dried fruit packs and food gift cards. The funds used to purchase these items came from the Elks National Veterans Service Commission $1,000 Freedom Grant and $10,000 Focus Grant. Members Rick Del Vecchio and Capt. Fred Jaca, PDD delivered the packages to the VA.
Lodge members are pictured packing the backpacks.
Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks Lodge Donates $7,000 to Southeastern Guide Dogs' Paws for Patriots
- Details
- Written by JoAnn Reddy
On Nov. 28, Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Lodge donated $3,500 to Southeastern Guide Dogs. The money was raised in August during a Paws for Patriots fundraising dinner. An additional $3,500 was matched by select members, making the total donation $7,000.
Pictured are Tom Sweeney, Veterans Lodge Committee Chair, and Sean Brown, Southeastern Guide Dogs Associate Director.
Village of Valor Receives Donation from Boca Raton Elks
- Details
- Written by Boca Raton Elks
On Dec. 5, Boca Raton Elks Lodge #2166 donated $900 of its Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant to the Village of Valor, which supports veterans rejoining society.
Pictured are Casimiro Hampton-Crockett, Village Deputy Director; Tito Young, PER; Paula Buss, member; Shirley Board, Exalted Ruler; and John De Cicco, member.
West Citrus Elks Deliver Gifts to Veterans
- Details
- Written by Brian Estus, PDD
On Dec. 21, members of the West Citrus Elks Lodge Veterans Committee visited Crystel Gem to deliver Christmas gifts to the veterans who live there. Crystal Gem is one of the local assisted living facilities visited monthly by the committee. Gifts were purchased using funds from the Elks National Veterans Service Commission Freedom Grant.
Sebring Elks Lodge Donates 10 Wreaths to Wreaths Across America
- Details
- Written by Ronna Mason, PER
On Dec. 16, Sebring Lodge participated in the Highlands County observance of the national Wreaths Across America program. This took place at the Lakeview Memorial Gardens in Avon Park. The lodge paid for 10 of the 528 wreaths, which were placed on the graves by volunteers. Member Ron Schilffarth represented the Lodge Veterans Committee.
Pictured are volunteers placing the wreaths.
Fort Myers Ladies of Elks Assist Veteran's Family for the Holidays
- Details
- Written by Diane Hendrick
On Dec. 17, the Fort Myers Ladies of Elks presented a family with a $300 Publix gift card, receipt for a turkey dinner for Christmas, and a rolling cooler filled with treats for the family. The father is a veteran who is in need of assistance for his family and was referred to the Ladies of Elks through Hearts and Homes for Veterans Inc.
Pictured is Kathy Lake, Ladies President, presenting the gifts to the family.
Sebring Elks Host Annual Veterans Luncheon
- Details
- Written by Ronna Mason, PER
On Dec. 6, Sebring Lodge hosted its annual Christmas luncheon for veterans at the lodge. There were 31 veterans and their caregivers in attendance from several local assisted living facilities as well as invited veterans. Also in attendance were lodge volunteers and Santa (nonmember Chip Boring). Ret. Sergeant Jose Santos, pictured, gave the opening prayer and presented each veteran with a special veterans pin. A ham dinner was provided by the Elks and cooked by Chef Jacob Lyons from Hands for Homeless. Member Patsy Howard sang "Proud To Be an American."
Veterans Receive Holiday Gifts from Bradenton Elks
- Details
- Written by Bob Erwin, PDD
The Bradenton Elks Lodge Veterans Committee and members who gave gifts, with the assistance of the Blessing Bags Project, a local nonprofit organization serving Manatee and Sarasota counties and the Sun Key Villages, a Palmetto community, delivered $3,500 in personal and comfort items to the C.W. Bill Young Veterans’ housing facility.
Pictured are Betsy Plant from the Blessing Bags Project; Bill Rauh, Lodge Veterans Chair; and Barbara Bouchard of Sun Key Villages.