Our Military & Veterans
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- Written by: Tracy Carroll, PER
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On June 16, Green Cove Springs Elks Lodge #1892 used a portion of its Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant to host 14 residents of the Clyde E. Lassen State Veterans' Nursing Home, along with their family, friends and caretakers, for an afternoon of fishing off the lodge's dock, followed by lunch. Fourteen Elks greeted the guests, baited hooks and cooked a barbecue lunch.
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- Written by: Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks
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On June 23, Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks provided lunch for 20 veterans residing at Veterans Village. The event was catered by Valentino’s restaurant and funded by the Elks National Veterans Service Commission Focus Grant. Veterans Committee members Tonya Ditty, Jean Kimak and Brad Vincent are pictured serving some of the veterans.
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- Written by: Brian Estus, PDD
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In 2019 a group of lodge members who enjoy quilting and who are members of the West Citrus Veterans Committee formed the sewing for veterans group. The group started making walker caddies and adult bibs for veterans in the local care centers and continue to make these items for any veterans in need within the community. In 2024, the Aaron A. Weaver Chapter 776 Military Order of the Purple Heart asked if the group would make Quilts of Honor for some of their veterans who have not received an honor quilt. The group made and presented five quilts at the Purple Heart breakfast in August 2025. Additionally, a quilt was made and presented in February 2026 to a Purple Heart veteran during the Purple Heart Ceremony. The Sewing for Veterans group is currently making an additional five Quilts of Honor to be presented to veterans this year.
Pictured April 1 are lodge members Ruth Sharpin, Sue Adams, Roxie Bartozek, Joyce Haskins, Jeanne MacBurnie, Pat Lehman and Linda Goretzki hard at work on the next batch of quilts.
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- Written by: Diane Hendrick
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Fort Myers Elks Lodge #1288 hosted a dinner June 28 for 12 board members and volunteers of Hearts & Homes for Veterans to present them with a $14,000 donation, made possible through a combination of Elks National Foundation Beacon, Gratitude and Spotlight grants. The Elks also gave them a closer look at who Elks are and what they stand for while helping the 26 Elks and guests in attendance see firsthand how ENF grants are being used to support veterans in crisis in the community.
Pictured are Roger Spencer, PER, Exalted Ruler, and Diane Hendrick, board chair, presenting the donation to Hearts & Homes board members Dale Spain, CEO; David Zammit and Eric Evans.
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- Written by: Southeast District
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During the Florida Elks state convention in May, Southeast District lodges Clewiston #1853, Jupiter #2469 and West Palm Beach #1352 presented $26,467.46. for the Army of Hope. The funds were raised from the Southeast District Army of Hope poker run, raffle, auction and cake raffle Feb. 28.
Pictured are Michael Chandler, State President; Connor Pulver of West Palm Beach Lodge and the newest Elk member at 21 years old; and Jeff Buhrman, West Palm Beach Lodge Exalted Ruler, at State Convention May 30, 2026.
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- Written by: Brandon Elks
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On June 13, Brandon Elks Lodge #2383 hosted the Tampa Bay Chapter of American Gold Star Mothers Inc. in the lodge hall for a chapter meeting and to pack 100 snack bags for Gold Star mothers attending the organization’s 98th national convention June 18-21 in Tampa. Robin Rutzke, Exalted Ruler, purchased and donated $355 in snack items to fill the bags, giving attendees snacks to enjoy throughout the convention weekend. The lodge also donated $1,000 to provide refreshments and food for attendees arriving June 19 and for the reception following the evening memorial service honoring Gold Star mothers and family members lost during the past year.
Pictured are Jeanette Nazario, Tampa Bay chapter president and second vice president of Department of Florida-PR American Gold Star Mothers Inc., and Michelle Lowenthal, chaplain of Tampa Bay chapter of American Gold Star Mothers Inc. Also pictured are Gold Star members filling snack bags.
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- Written by: Deborah Reedy, PER
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Jacksonville Elks Lodge #221 came through again to support Women Veterans Ignited with food donations in March, April and May. Thanks to the lodge’s generosity, members delivered 223 nonperishable food items June 4 to WVI. In addition, Kayla Zeringue, lodge chaplain, took the time to create 12 prepackaged nonperishable meals with a recipe along with six hygiene kits specifically designed for females. WVI appreciated this, and the timing was just before the annual Women Veterans Week of Recognition. The food, meals and hygiene items were valued at $943.50. WVI serves dozens of women veterans in the Jacksonville community each month and is devoted to helping women veterans improve health and well-being, secure employment or permanent housing, and ensure a successful transition from the military to civilian life.
Pictured are Tony Langhals, U.S. Navy, retired; Karen Tracy U.S. Navy, retired, Lodge Veterans Chair; Cheryl Kehl, U.S. Navy veteran, Exalted Ruler; and Sierra Allman, USA/USAF veteran, WVI receptionist/program assistant.
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- Written by: Tom Walden, PDD
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Tallahassee Elks Lodge #937 again participated in the annual veterans Stand Down, held at FAMU campus May 16. With help from the Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant, the lodge purchased breakfast and lunch for the many folks attending the event. Attendees included veterans who are experiencing homelessness or who are disadvantaged. They were fed and afforded services available through city, county and state agencies. Other services included legal advice, dental care and veterinary care for pets.
Elks shown serving lunch are Jeff Dorband, PER; Ricardo Scruggs, Exalted Ruler; Harris, a friend; and Tom Walden, PDD. At each end are event volunteers.
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- Written by: Lakeland Elks
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On May 16, Lakeland Elks Lodge #1291 hosted an armed forces dinner and dance fundraiser with 94 members attending. Members Rhonda and Doug Thomas cooked fish and chips for the event. Proceeds from the event, raffle items and 50/50 ticket sales totaled $2,737 for the lodge veterans fund to support programs and activities for veterans.
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- Written by: Susan Janes
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Cocoa Beach Elks used funds from their Elks National Foundation Spotlight Grant to buy 10 microwaves and bedding (sheets and bed-in-a-bag sets) for veterans transitioning into permanent housing. These pictured veterans were treated to their $400 Elks National Veterans Service Commission Welcome Home Kit shopping spree April 22 and then were given their additional gifts. Mary Ladwig, Veterans Chair, organized this event.
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- Written by: Gainesville Elks
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The Elks Riders of Gainesville Elks Lodge #990 participated in a community service event at Evergreen Cemetery to honor the nation’s veterans ahead of Memorial Day. On May 23, nine riders volunteered their time to place flags at the graves of veterans, helping ensure their service and sacrifice are remembered. Their assigned section of the cemetery had 42 flags to place.
Pictured are Darrin Roberts, president; Kriste Manella; Ken Bateman, road captain; Pete Hamilton; Charles Britt; Cathy Britt, liaison; Dave Kaufman, vice president; Kerstin Roberts, secretary; and Bernie Porterfield.
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- Written by: Deborah Reedy, PER
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When the Jacksonville Elks Lodge Community Activities Committee found out that member Kelly Paulson's son was coming home from serving overseas, they gave him and his friend Dalton a welcome home party May 15. Both Marines served together for more than three years. Many members showed up to support them and thank them for their service. The lodge gifted them both with bags of goodies, which included snacks, lip balm, wipes and fun things.
Pictured are Beth Clark, Pam Haley, Anne Paulisczak, Dalton, Kelly Paulson, Jake, Brent Reedy and PER Deborah Reedy; Kelly Paulson with her son, Jake; and member and veteran Brian Allen talking to Dalton, Jake and Kelly Paulson.