Our Military & Veterans

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Written by Diane Hendrick

Fort Myers Elks Lodge #1288 honored local veterans May 21. A brief ceremony began with playing anthems of the five branches of the U.S. military followed by a color guard presenting the colors. After the ceremony, veterans and guests enjoyed a delicious dinner. Following the meal, David Lake, PSP, Esquire, presented a check for $7,000 for Hearts and Homes for Veterans Inc. The donation was made possible by a $4,000 Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant, a $2,500 Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant, and $500 from the lodge charity account.

Pictured are Frank Mascari, PER; Phil Gersbach, PDD, Vice President at Large; David Santini, vice president of Hearts and Homes for Veterans Inc.; Richard Conley, PDD; David Lake, PSP, Esquire; and Rich Joslin.

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Written by Susan Slater

Zephyrhills Elks Lodge #2731 has been donating furniture and household items to veterans upon discharge from the VA. When they are discharged, they have an apartment but no furnishings. Ken Fabiani, Lodge Veterans Services Chair, has been actively picking up donations from the local communities to help provide the veterans with the basic needs for their home. In mid-May, a local business offered to donated a 10-by-20 storage unit to the Veterans Services Committee for these furnishings. Hilda Hynes, manager of Value Store It, has a very personal investment in this donation since she says with great emotion and pride that she is the mother of a son in the United States Air Force at Andrews Air Force Base. With the housing crisis and homelessness, she immediately got on board with Fabiani's efforts to provide the veterans with their needs. Value Store It is very dedicated with their involvement in their communities and donates to organizations that will empower their local culture.

Pictured are Ken Fabiani, PER, and Hilda Hynes.

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Written by Rita Smith

On May 20, Tampa Elks Lodge #708 welcomed nine guests from Liberty Manor for dinner. Owner Connie Lindsay and her husband, David, brought seven veterans from their nonprofit transitional housing to the lodge. After being seated, they were each greeted by Jose Remon, Lodge Veterans Services Chair, and Rita Smith, Exalted Ruler. Veterans Services Committee members Joe LoCicero, Debbie Brennan, George Hofer and Edie Hanley were their attendants and servers and saw to their every need. The veterans were served a dinner of New York strip steaks, grilled jumbo shrimp, rosemary roasted potatoes, fresh green beans and cheese biscuits. For dessert, there was warm bread pudding with a vanilla sauce. The Veterans Services Committee raises funds, especially for entertaining veterans in need. The cost of this dinner for these veterans was $221.

Pictured in blue are the veterans, and David and Connie Lindsay are at the ends of the table. New member Thomas Hofer is seated with the veterans as well.

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Written by Jeanne Reinhart, PDD

On May 10, the Largo Elks Lodge’s Veterans Committee members presented their 75th Welcome Home Kit to a veteran through the Bay Pines VA HUD-VASH (Housing and Urban Development-Veterans Administration Supportive Housing) office in St. Petersburg, Florida. A Welcome Home Kit provides some basic essentials, including but not limited to dishes, linens, small kitchen appliances and personal hygiene items for a veteran moving into a new residence and needing starter items. This presentation was a milestone; therefore, 10 Largo Elks members attended to meet the veteran who was receiving this kit and to load his car.  

Pictured are Francesca Rivera; Peter Lopez, World War II veteran; Sonja Lopez, endorsed District Vice President; Barb Hennessey; Gloria Todd, Exalted Ruler; Georgia Greene; Sandy Behm; Ed Cabana; Kenneth, veteran receiving the kit; Caroline Wilson, HUD-VASH social worker; Edgar Solivan, voluntary services specialist at the VA; Jeanne Reinhart, PDD, event organizer; Johnny Miller, Elks VAVS representative to Bay Pines; and Robert Behm, retired LTC and Lodge Veterans Committee Chair.

Also pictured are Jeanne Reinhart, PDD; Gloria Todd; and Bob Behm presenting a $1,000 check to Edgar Solivan (second from left) for the upcoming Stand Down at the VA.

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Written by JoAnn Reddy

On April 9, Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks Lodge #2855 held a Paws for Patriots benefit, which included dinner, guest speakers, prize baskets and a band. Guest speaker Sean Brown, who brought his guide dog, Nick, shared the experience of veterans returning from active duty. All proceeds and donations were given to Southeastern Guide Dogs to help pay for raising and educating dogs to become facility therapy dogs who are given to veterans to help with PTSD symptoms.

Pictured are Tom Sweeney, Lodge Veterans Committee Chair; Frank Iannello, Exalted Ruler; and Sean Brown, guest speaker, and Nick, his service dog.

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Written by Zephyrhills Elks

On Jan. 30, performance group Re-Creation USA put on a show at Zephyrhills Lodge to raise money for their touring expenses. Barbara Conklin, Leading Knight, provided a pre-show meal for the group. The young performers give up their time to go on the road and perform at fraternal organizations to raise money for their expenses to perform for veterans in VA hospitals at no cost to them. The veterans are so happy to be entertained and Elks love the shows. Ticket costs raised $1,000 for Re-Creation. The pandemic has been a real challenge for them since they could not visit the VA hospitals. Therefore, they performed virtually through Zoom and raised funds online.

Pictured are Bailley Caldwell, performer; Dave Kelsey, lodge member and veteran; and Hailey Fafel, performer.