Our Military & Veterans

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Written by Rose Wujcik

On Nov. 11, Sarasota South Elks Lodge #2495 held a veterans’ appreciation dinner. There were 82 veterans in attendance with their family and guests, and 149 spaghetti dinners were served. Each veteran received a challenge coin representing the branch of service in which they served. The evening had three guest speakers – retired Army Col Ben Knisley; Army Chief Warrant Officer (CWO3) Todd Slaughter, whose family was assisted through the Army of Hope; and USN 1st Lt. Bernard Friedland, the oldest veteran in the room at 92. Friedland began serving in World War II when he was 17 years old as a USN Seaman 3rd Class crossing the English Channel in an attack transport during the invasion of Europe. He later served in the Korean War and was one of the last standing executive officers of a MASH unit. Twelve years later he put his uniform back on and served in the Vietnam War. He spoke about what the world was like then and what it is like now. His powerful message was that we have to take time to teach children the history of America that is not being taught in schools. He reminded the attendees that today’s children are tomorrow’s leaders and that parents, grandparents and great-grandparents need to take the time now to teach them what it took to keep America free. They need to reinforce respect for our country, veterans and the leaders of this nation.

Sarasota South Lodge Exalted Ruler, Richard Bouchard, is pictured with 1st Lt. Bernard Friedland, retired Col. Ben Knisley and CWO3 Todd Slaughter.

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Written by John Dill, PDD

The seventh annual Live Oak Elks Lodge #1165 and Garrison Farms salute to veterans event was held Nov. 11 at the lodge. All veterans and active duty military members and family members were invited to a free meal of smoked chicken, baked beans, coleslaw, bread and a drink. The event fed 230 veterans from all conflicts ranging from World War II to the current War on Terror. Everything was donated for the event, leaving the lodge without any expenses. 

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Written by Ken Fabiani, PER

On Nov. 3, Tom Hudson was in shock when Zephyrhills Elks showed up at his door to help furnish his home. He is the 15th veteran helped by the lodge. Hudson received all he needs to get started in his new place from a coffee pot and coffee to a recliner that he fell asleep in the first night. Lodge members Tom Pete, Dave Crotty and PER Ken Fabiani helped in this endeavor.

On Oct. 25, Raymond McDilda is the 17th veteran whose home has been furnished by Zephyrhills Lodge. He was so surprised with all the furnishings they delivered – love seat, chair, pots and pans, dish set, cups, glasses, silverware, microwave, shower rod and curtains, cooking utensils, end tables, lamps, nightstand, clock, linens, and towels – all but a bed. PER Ken Fabiani told McDilda that as soon as he had a bed for him, they’d deliver it. As Fabiani, Tom Pete and Dave Crotty drove home from Tampa, Fabiani received a call about an available bed. After dropping off Pete and Crotty, he drove to Southport Springs to pick up a bed and frame plus a pillow, sheets and blankets. Soon thereafter, McDilda received his bed with a big smile on his face while thanking the Elks for all they had done.

On Nov. 17, Mike Hanley was wide awake after his time on the bus at 5:30 a.m. to arrive at his new home in Zephyrhills, Fla. He is Zephyrhills Lodge’s 18th veteran to receive furnishings for his new home. Hanley could not believe all the furnishings that Dave Crotty and PER Ken Fabiani delivered: coffee, coffee maker, pots, pans, crock pot, utensils, bowls, dishes, pillow sheets and blankets, personal hygiene items, storage containers, shower rod, shower curtains and hooks, lamps, and end table.

Mike Hanley paid it forward by assisting Tom Pete and Ken Fabiani deliver furnishings to Zephyrhills Lodge’s 19th veteran, Greg Dorset, Nov. 18. Dorset received clothes, kitchen and bath towels, pots, pans, microwave, dining table with two chairs, two bar stools, sheets, blankets, dishes, silverware, lamps, two recliners, and coffee maker and coffee.

Early on Nov. 19, Bob Lewis became the 20th veteran whose home was furnished by Zephyrhills Lodge. Dave Crotty and Mike Hanley made the delivery. Lewis was so surprised when he saw the sofa, chair, dining table and two chairs, pots, pans, dishes, towels, lamps, two end tables, coffee maker, shower curtain and hooks, kitchen utensils, pillows, blankets, shirts, pants, and a kitchen storage container set. He had a smile from ear to ear and was so thankful for what the elks have done for him.

David Clark is the 21st veteran to move into his new home with the support from Zephyrhills Lodge. He received a sofa, recliner, two end tables, two lamps, a full-size bed with sheets and blanket, coffee maker, coffee, microwave, pots, pans, 32’’ flat-screen TV, shower rod, shower hooks, shower curtain, laundry detergent, fabric softener, dining table, two chairs, bath towels, kitchen towels, dishes, silverware, and kitchen utensils. Members Tom Pete, Steve Czerneski and PER Ken Fabiani delivered these gifts.

Brian Cade is the 22nd veteran whose home was furnished with help from Zephyrhills Lodge. These items included a dining table, two chairs, two large recliners, a queen-size bed, end tables, shower rod, shower curtains, shower hooks, pots, pans, plates, silverware, kitchen utensils, bed sheets, pillow, lamps, coffee maker, coffee, and kitchen containers.

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Written by Ernest DalleMolle

On Nov. 15, Holley-Navarre Lodge presented a check for $1,200 to Food for Vets whose mission is to provide food and essentials to veterans and military members in need of assistance. The lodge raised the money primarily from their Friday night charity bingo game. Food for Vets recently moved from Navarre, Fla., to Fort Walton Beach, Fla.

Food for Vets representative, Samantha Peace, is presented a check for $1,200 from Holley-Navarre Lodge board president, Ben Gray.

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Written by Diane Hendrick

On Nov. 10, several veterans who are members of Fort Myers Elks Lodge #1288 rode in the Fort Myers Veterans Day Parade in two cars and a truck that pulled an Elks drug trailer. Pictured are Al Roehr; Dan Birt; Jack Hoagland, PER; Dick Conley, District Deputy; and Kawelo Makaneole, PER.

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Written by Palm Coast Elks

Palm Coast Elks Lodge #2709 held a dinner dance fundraiser Nov. 9 for the Gary Sinise Foundation during the lodge’s weekend open house. A total of 76 lodge members and members of the public attended the event which raised $5,000. The foundation honors defenders, veterans, first responders, their families and those in need.