Our Military & Veterans

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Written by Lake City Elks

On Nov. 16, Lake City Lodge member Wezzie Huelscamp again hosted her annual veterans’ lunch at the Lake City Fairgrounds from 12-2 p.m. She secures donated food, gets it prepared and makes sure it is served, and it’s all free for veterans. She is a beautician and cuts hair for any veteran without charge at this event.

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Written by Jeanne Reinhart, PDD

Largo Lodge received the Elks National Foundation Impact Grant to enhance the lives of the residents at Liberty Manor located in Largo, Fla. The lodge provided picnics and installed two air conditioning units, solar film on all the windows, and a patio. They purchased a new grill and hold monthly picnics as well as special events for Veterans Day and Christmas. David Lindsay, a member of Brandon Lodge and spouse of Liberty Manor’s CEO Connie Lindsay, installed the air conditioners along with his associates. Florida Wrapz Inc. from Indian Rocks Beach, Fla., donated the labor to install the solar film throughout the facility. Largo members and other community volunteers installed the patio. Their Christmas party was held Dec. 14 and a gift bag full of sheets, pillows, personal hygiene items, cookies, socks and much more was given to the residents who were so surprised and appreciative of the gifts. Additional renovations included a new flag pole in the front yard after it had been hit by a car and knocked down. It was installed by Ed Cabana, Janet Kingsley and Ron Johnston and included a light at the top. Pavers were installed by Cabana, PER Sonja Lopez, PDD Jeanne Reinhart, and three community service workers – Paul, Cody and Andre. The pavers provided an extension to the patio. They also purchased two rocking chairs to complete the patio area. Lodge members take turns cooking a meal once a week. With several grants being used at Liberty Manor, lodge members have developed friendships with the residents. One resident even said, “You can visit us without always bringing gifts.” Connie Lindsay says the residents never ask for anything but are appreciative of what the lodge does.

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Written by Aripeka Elks

On Dec. 14, members of Aripeka Elks Lodge #2520 laid 1,060 wreaths on the graves of veterans at Grace Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Hudson, Fla. Members collected donations for the wreaths and held a spaghetti dinner fundraiser and blind auction to purchase the wreaths. The Wreaths Across America program provided one wreath for every two wreaths that were purchased. There were 300 members, community members and students from Hudson High School ROTC who gathered for a formal ceremony recognizing these soldiers.

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Written by Diane Davis

On Nov. 9, the N.U.B.S. (Never Underestimate Brave Students) of Oneco Elementary School along with Manasota Elks and N.U.B.S. community service co-advisors, Marie Mueller and Dawn Rigsbee, went to Bay Pines VA Medical Center in St. Petersburg, Fla., to deliver lap blankets to the veterans. The blankets are made by the N.U.B.S. members with military fleece fabric purchased from the lodge’s Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant. They had a pizza party and the N.U.B.S. members helped the 48 veterans with their lunches, played games, sang and enjoyed talking with the veterans. They received thank you letters from the Bay Pines staff who said how much the veterans enjoyed the N.U.B.S. visit and their lap blankets.

Pictured with the N.U.B.S. members are Dawn Rigsbee, co-advisor, and Manasota Lodge members Stephanie Lund; Pam McDowell, Exalted Ruler; Diane Davis, Jim Kollath; Ken Davis, PDD; and Marie Mueller, member and co-advisor. Not pictured is Jim Klocke.

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Written by Judy Wise

On Nov. 10, Plant City Elks Lodge #1727 with the backing of the City of Plant City, Historic Plant City Main Street and the Chamber of Commerce came together to present the second annual barbecue for veterans and active military. The event was held in the TECO Expo Hall at the Strawberry Festival Grounds with nearly 400 people in attendance. There were 278 veterans and their spouses and children. Ten World War II veterans were honored. It was also the 244th birthday of the Marines and they performed the cake ceremony in which the oldest Marine cuts the cake first and gives it to the youngest Marine. The oldest Marine, 97, came in a full-dress uniform and the youngest, 27, is a Plant City police officer. U.S. Congressman Ross Spano sang the national anthem and spoke about the importance of veterans. Captain Danny Burgess, Executive Director of Florida Department of Veterans Affairs, and Mark Stephens, a veteran from U.S. Special Forces, Delta Force, also spoke. Stephens was a participant in the tragic Black Hawk Down incident in Mogadishu; as a retired veteran, he is Executive Director of Task Force Dagger. He has just returned from Saipan where he and his team retrieved remains of American soldiers. The theme was "Tie a Yellow Ribbon 'round the Old Oak Tree," so Elks, Scouts and high school honor students tied nearly 1,000 yellow ribbons downtown and on the main streets. The event honored veterans, active military members, POW-MIAs and the 22 veterans each day we lose to suicide. The Elks received accolades from the mayor, vice mayor, city commissioners, citizens and veterans. Volunteers included Elks, a high school color guard, Boy Scouts, and children and grandchildren of Elks.

World War II Marine veteran Carl Dekle, 97, cuts a cake and gives the first piece to the youngest Marine, police officer Yarley Vasallo, 27, at Plant City’s barbecue for veterans and active military sponsored by Plant City Lodge, City of Plant City, Historic Plant City Main Street and the Chamber of Commerce Nov. 10.

An unidentified veteran kneels at the POW-MIA table.

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Written by Pompano Beach Elks

On Nov. 2 at the District Deputy visitation at Oakland Park Lodge, Frank Sellers of Pompano Beach Lodge provided laundry baskets to each lodge and challenged them to fill them with food to be delivered to the nearest veterans’ center. He and PDD Charlotte Burrie delivered the baskets to Trudis Perez, Director of Veterans’ Services at the Pompano Beach Veterans Center. Pictured are Burrie and Perez.