Our Military & Veterans
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- Written by: Cathy Walsh
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On Dec. 24, St. Augustine Elks Lodge #829 donated three Blu-ray DVD players to the Clyde E. Lassen Veterans Nursing Home for use in their activity room. The lodge also provided items for a New Year’s Eve party, including a 2025 banner, sparkling grape juice, hats, tiaras, noisemakers and fancy glasses.
Pictured in the front row are residents John Ford, Theresa Lewis, Brad Stlas and Vincent Erato. In the second row are Brian Welliver, Exalted Ruler; Janet Barrett, Loyal Knight; and Randy Cook, PER, Leading Knight.
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- Written by: Taz WrightReynolds, PER
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On Dec. 23, Pensacola Beach Elks shared their time, fellowship and holiday spirit with several forgotten warriors who reside at The Blake, an assisted living facility in Pensacola. The Elks provided Christmas gifts of personal hygiene and health care products.
Pictured are John Farill, Navy Korea veteran; Santa (Ken Branch, District Vice President); elf Wayne Levchik, PER; and World War II Army veteran Charles Ramsey.
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- Written by: West Palm Beach Elks
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West Palm Beach Lodge purchased 80 $25 gift cards, totaling $2,000, which were given to veterans Dec. 23 who were housed at WPB VA Hospital for Christmas. The cards were purchased by members’ donations in canteen cans throughout the lodge.
Pictured are member Carmen Santoro Jr.; Jose Lopez Velazquez, asst. canteen chief; PDD Ed Morey Jr. and PER Elaine Maes-Morey.
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- Written by: Cristin Rumler
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With 140 players, 50 hole sponsors and seven corporate sponsors, Sanford Elks’ second annual Swing 4 Veterans golf tournament Oct. 5 at Mayfair Country Club raised more than $16,000 for lodge veteran projects. After the tournament, the lodge hosted the players for lunch and giveaways.
Pictured are Jeff Rumler, PDD and Donald Soderblom, Veterans Chair.
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- Written by: Cristin Rumler
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On Dec. 16, Sanford Lodge members Clint and Jody Earley with their daughter, Jillian, delivered lunch, which was supplied by the lodge, to the Florida National Guard Co B.
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- Written by: Jeff Rumler, PDD
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On Nov. 12, Sanford Elks made their monthly visit to the patients at Lake Baldwin Nursing Home. They use their Elks National Veterans Service Commission Freedom Grant to purchase snacks and goodies for the veterans. On Nov. 12, Sanford Elks made their monthly visit to the patients at Lake Baldwin Nursing Home. They use their Elks National Veterans Service Commission Freedom Grant to purchase snacks and goodies for the veterans. Pictured is Kathy Soderblom, spouse of Donald Soderblom, Veterans Chair shaking hands with a veteran. The lodge also participated in the Veteran Giving Tree project, which allowed them to adopt a family of five for Christmas. The program allows the family to request clothing and a wish list item and the kids can select two gifts.
Pictured is Kathy Soderblom, spouse of Donald Soderblom, Veterans Chair shaking hands with a veteran.
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- Written by: SSE District
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The South Southeast District held a district picnic to benefit the Army of Hope Nov. 9 at Oakland Park Elks Lodge #2407. All five lodges participated by donating food for the picnic and playing games and raffles. A total of $2,824 was raised.
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- Written by: Becky Wills
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On Oct. 29 using funds from the Elks National Foundation Focus Grant, Viera Elks Lodge #2817 donated $255.07 to a veteran who was moving into permanent housing to purchase a bed, mattress and bedding. They donated $1,465.51 to a veteran with seven children to cover food costs and moving expenses to permanent housing. Finally, they donated $4,789.61 to a woman veteran for auto repairs so she can drive to work. The lodges partners with the Brevard County Veterans Coalition, which screens the veterans and advises the lodge of those who are in the most critical need of assistance.
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- Written by: Anthony D'Abbraccio
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On Dec. 14, Parrish Elks Lodge #2889, with the help of Boy Scout Troop 146 and Trail Life Troop FL-063, held a Wreaths Across America memorial ceremony at the Parrish Cemetery before placing wreaths on veterans' graves. The Parrish Cemetery Association Board as well as family and friends of veterans buried there were invited. Boy Scout and Trail Life members presented the flags, Ken Knight, Lodge Wreaths Across America Chair gave remarks, and Sharon Atkins, lodge chaplain, gave the invocation and benediction. Attorney Jennifer Hamey was the guest speaker. Families were given a wreath to place at their loved one’s gravesite. Then attendees were invited to place wreaths at the remaining veterans' graves.
Pictured are lodge members at the Parrish Cemetery.
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- Written by: West Palm Beach Elks
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On Dec. 14 at the Florida National Cemetery in Lantana, West Palm Beach Elks Riders #1352 Road Captain, Brad Quick, and Secretary, Angela Quick, placed wreaths on the veterans’ graves and rocks on the graves of Jewish soldiers.
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- Written by: JoAnn Reddy
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On Nov. 23, Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Lodge held a fundraiser dinner for Homes for Our Troops. Their mission is to build and donate specially adapted custom homes for severely injured veterans. A total of $5,000 was raised. This year's recipient is Aaron Corneliius, Army Sergeant First Class. District Reporter, JoAnn Reddy, presented a Quilt of Honor to him. The mission of the Quilts of Honor is to bestow a universal symbol of thanks, solace and remembrance to those who serve in harm's way.
Pictured are Reddy and Corneliius.
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- Written by: Diane Davis
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Manasota Elks Lodge member Jim Klocke, PER was one of 30 honorees who received the second annual Congressional Veteran Commendation Award at a ceremony Nov. 8 in Lithia. Congressman Vern Buchanan established the award to honor the wartime sacrifices and peacetime community involvement of veterans in Florida’s 16th congressional district. Klocke served in the U.S. Coast Guard from 1968 to 1974 during the Vietnam War with Search and Rescue, where he received his U.S. Merchant Marine Officer Captains 50-ton license. He also received the Good Conduct Medal and National Defense Service Medal. He serves as Lodge Veterans Chair and uses Elks National Foundation grants to help veterans. He is also involved with the Manatee County Veterans Council.
Pictured are Buchanan and Klocke.