Our Military & Veterans

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Written by Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks

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On Dec. 9, members of Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks Lodge #2855 held a luncheon at Veterans Village in Bradenton. Twenty veterans were fed and the food was catered by Mission BBQ and paid for from the Elks National Veterans Service Commission Focus Grant. Veterans were also able to take extra food back to their apartments for dinner.

Pictured are members Deb Kehoe and Judy Rodgers.

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Written by Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks

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On Dec. 22, Tom Sweeney, Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks Lodge Veterans Chair, delivered a new desktop computer and two American-made MIA/POW flags to Dawn Hawkins, veterans coordinator at Veterans Village. Veterans Village houses 24 veterans working to get back into society. The computer is available for all veterans to use. Funds were used from the Elks National Veterans Service Commission Focus Grant.

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Written by Cristin Rumler

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Using funds from the Elks National Veterans Service Commission Focus Grant, Sanford Elks purchased wreaths and decorating supplies to host a holiday wreath decorating event at the Lake Nona Domiciliary Dec. 16. Sixty-four veterans enjoyed lunch, a Christmas movie and wreath decorating (pictured). Donald Soderblom, Veterans Services Chair and ENVSC VAVS Representative for the Orlando VA Medical Center, and members had a great time spending the afternoon with the veteran residents.

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Written by Taz WrightReynolds, PER

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On Dec. 13, Fort Walton Elks Lodge #1795 participated in the Wreaths Across America event at Beal Memorial Cemetery in Fort Walton Beach. The lodge donated $3,000 to sponsor approximately 400 wreaths to the local Wreaths Across America organization. The remembrance wreaths are placed on veterans’ graves at Beal Memorial Cemetery and each veteran’s name is said aloud.

Pictured in the front are Rob Parks, PER; Mark Wynn, Loyal Knight; Michael “Taz” WrightReynolds, PER, trustee; Marcia WrightReynolds, Exalted Ruler; and Susan Henry, member. In the back row are members Dennis Henry; Janet Baxter; and Tom McLaughlin, PER, Esquire. Taz WrightReynolds is also pictured saluting his veteran father during the wreath presentation.

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Written by Brian Kamp

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Naples Elks Lodge #2010 has been serving a hot breakfast to veterans at Gulf Coast Veterans & Friends in Naples once a month for the past year. The lodge pays a veteran-friendly diner to cook and deliver the breakfast. The lodge also pays for fresh fruit and all needed supplies. From January to April, more than 100 veterans were served each month, and for the rest of the year, approximately 80 veterans were served each month. The lodge approved $1,000 for this project.

Members pictured Dec. 13 are Brian Kamp of the Lodge Community Engagement Committee; Krystal Yoder; Greg Clifford; Nicole Yacobacci, Loyal Knight; Lisa Frey; Bob Costello, Exalted Ruler; Frank Garofalo; and Paula Keaton.

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Written by Brandon Elks

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On Nov. 20, for the 25th year, Brandon Elks Lodge #2383 partnered with Altria Group Inc. (previously known as Phillip Morris Companies) and Association of the United States Army to serve more than 200 Thanksgiving dinners to MacDill military members and their families.  Altria and AUSA sponsor this event each year, and Brandon Lodge supplies the use of its facilities and members to cook the meal. The evening included ROTC Middleton High School Honor Guard. There was music and entertainment for the children, including a clown and other activities. A professional photographer was available to preserve the memories for each family.

Pictured are the kitchen crew: Kitchen Crew: member Pat Lavoie, Ladies member Carolyn Thomas, Past Lady President Ann Fox, member Bob Florentino, Past Lady President Grace Weigand, member Jeff Lavoie, and Rick Weigand, PER.