Our Military & Veterans

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Written by David Valinski

On June 19, the Palm Coast Elks Lodge Veterans Committee presented a $500 donation to the Quilts of Valor Foundation, whose mission is to cover service members and veterans touched by war in comforting and healing Quilts of Valor and to say, “Thank you for your service and sacrifice.” The donation came from the fundraising efforts of the Veterans Committee. A Quilt of Valor was also awarded to James B. Adams, E4, United States Air Force.

Pictured are Veterans Committee members Jerry DiMenna, David Valinski, PER Bill Hall, and Sean Reardon presenting the check to members of Quilts of Valor Foundation. Also pictured are Barbara Prusinski, a longtime friend of Adams and a representative from the Indiana Quilts of Valor who helped make the quilt, and James B. Adams, E4, USAF with his Quilt of Valor.

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Written by Perry Elks

On May 26, Perry Elks Lodge #1851 held a Memorial Day tribute with a presentation of the Missing Man Table (MIA/POW) at the local Veterans Memorial Park, which was open to the public. PER Eric Hodge presided over the ceremony and was joined by Exalted Ruler Felisa Calhoun and lodge members. Together, they paid tribute to those who never made it home, ensuring their sacrifice is never forgotten.

Pictured are Eric Hodge, PER; Felisa Calhoun, Exalted Ruler; Tasha Smith, Al Smith, and Fonda Neel, trustees; Gordon Brown, Lecturing Knight; Earline Neeley, Secretary; Sylvia Ellanson, trustee; Vera Howell, Tiler; and members Danny Ellison, Pat Ferguson, Marie O'Steen, Jamie Sheffield, Doris Putnel, Velma Hingson, Nikki Anderson, and Charlotte Morris.

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Written by Taz WrightReynolds, PER

On May 27, Holley-Navarre Lodge donated $750 from the Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant to Healing Paws for Warriors, an organization that trains and provides service dogs to veterans in need of extra four-legged support.

Pictured are Jenna Ladik, member’s spouse; Buddy Elliott, Lecturing Knight; John Ladik, lodge trustee; CMSgt. Dennis Krebs, USAF, ret., HPFW executive director; Monika and her service dog, Buddy; Tom Stevens,  PDD,  Exalted Ruler; Suzanne White, Lodge Secretary; and Carol Borden, Tiler.

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Written by Green Cove Springs Elks

On May 18, Green Cove Springs Elks Lodge #1892 hosted residents of the Clyde E. Lassen Veterans Nursing Home and their guests for lunch and an afternoon of fishing from the lodge's dock. This was funded through a portion of the Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant. Fourteen lodge members assisted 16 residents, 15 family members and friends, and five nursing home staff members with fishing and served a lunch of burgers, hot dogs, chips and ice cream. 

Pictured are Dr. Rick Kunze, PER, Lodge Veterans Chair; member Laura Russell; Army veteran Dianne Gregory; Penny Kunze, VAVS Deputy Representative; Army veteran John Gregory; and Navy veteran James Massey. Also pictured are nursing home staff members on the dock.

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Written by Bill Morehouse

Under the direction of Ken Fabiani, PER, Veterans Chair, and Bill Morehouse, program coordinator, the Zephyrhills Elks Lodge Veterans Committee continues to use the Elks National Veterans Service Commission Welcome Home Kit program to furnish veterans’ homes as they settle into their new homes upon completion of a recovery program. Furnishings and household items are provided through donations and purchases funded from the kit program.

On April 26, veteran David Thorpe had the bedroom in his new shared home furnished with help from the lodge's Antlers youth group. When he saw the Antlers and families and advisors roll up with a trailer full of furniture, his eyes opened wide in amazement and he smiled from ear to ear! Everyone jumped in to help him set up his new home.

Pictured are Linnea Fonslet, Antler; Anne McDonald, Antlers advisor; David Thorpe, veteran; Bill Morehouse, lodge Welcome Home Kit coordinator; and Skyler Oberman, Dane Fonslet and Mikel Oberman, Antlers.

On May 3, 2025, veteran Ronald Link had his new home furnished by the Lodge’s Veterans Committee with help from the Lodge's Antlers youth group. When he saw the Elks, Antlers, and the Antlers family and advisors arrive with a trailer full of furniture, he practically ran down the stairs of his second-floor apartment!

Pictured are Matthew Collins and Joe Collins, volunteers; Skyler Oberman and Mikel Oberman, Antlers; Mike Calabrese, Bill Morehouse’s nephew; Ron Link, veteran; Bill Morehouse, lodge Welcome Home Kit coordinator; and Charles Foust, Antlers Advisor.

“This has turned a terrible day into a great day!” That’s what veteran Daniel Ross said May 7 when he saw Bill Morehouse and his nephew, Mike Calabrese, show up with a trailer full of furniture and household items for his new apartment. Incredibly thankful, he helped them unload the trailer and fill up his empty apartment. 

Pictured are Mike Calabrese, volunteer; Daniel Ross, veteran; and Bill Morehouse lodge Welcome Home Kit coordinator.

On May 25, veteran Kevin Walker had his new apartment furnished after he left a homeless shelter. He didn’t realize how much help he was about to receive until he saw Bill Morehouse arrive with a trailer full of furniture. He was overwhelmed by the support.

Bill Morehouse and Kevin Walker are pictured.

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Written by Anthony D'Abbraccio, PER

On May 26, Parrish Elks Lodge #2889 held its second annual Memorial Day ceremony at the Parrish Cemetery. There were 55 attendees, including 25 lodge members, four members of the Parrish Cemetery Association Board of Directors, and 26 family members and friends of Elks, Cemetery Association board members, and veterans buried at the cemetery. Carol Ann Felts, Manatee County District 1 County Commissioner, and her assistant, Selena, were also present. Colonel Richard Tatem, retired Air Force, was again the guest speaker. His 31-minute speech had two themes — "Be your wingman's keeper" and "Stop trying to be right and instead try to be helpful." Afterward, family members of veterans buried at the cemetery received a flag to place at their loved one’s gravesite. This was followed by all other attendees placing flags at the remaining veterans’ gravesites.

Pictured are some of the ceremony attendees.