Three veterans from two West Central District lodges assisted 10-year-old Easton Thompson, grandson of St. Petersburg Elks Lodge #1224 members Tippy and Cindy Thompson, with his school project of interviewing local veterans about their experiences. Past State President Rudy Masi Sr. of St. Petersburg Lodge coordinated the lunch event for Easton and the veterans to discuss their time in the military. Easton was thrilled to hear their first-hand stories. World War II veteran Manny Maldonado from Tampa Lodge was a paratrooper serving in the Pacific Theatre. After the war, he was stationed in Japan. World War II veteran Malen Griep from Tampa Lodge was infantry serving in the European Theatre. His unit freed Dachau Concentration Camp. Tripp Baldwin of Holiday Isles Elks #1912 is 82 Airborne serving in Iraq and Afghanistan as a combat medic.
Pictured April 27 are Maldonado, Masi, Easton, Griep and Baldwin.