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mike jones's List: Elks Army of Hope
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Old Bridge Elks lodge boxes gifts for troops in Iraq Published in the Home News Tribune 11/06/04 By DINA GUIRGUIS STAFF WRITER OLD BRIDGE: Members of the Old Bridge Elks Lodge 2229 are just trying to do their part. The group collected enough items -- ranging from toothpaste to checker games -- to fill 32 boxes that will be sent to troops in Iraq. "I heard that the National Elks organization had an 'Adopt Our Troops' program, and when I came to the lodge with it, everyone wanted to help," said Chuck Lehr, chairman of the Elks Veterans Committee. Chuck's niece, Pfc. Jennifer Lehr, has been stationed in Iraq for the past eight months, and the donations will be sent to her platoon at Camp Cooke in Taji -- just 12 miles north of Baghdad. "Everybody's going to use this stuff, we all need it," said Jennifer, who was on a two-week leave from duty. She will return to Iraq next week. Jennifer, her parents, her uncle and her other volunteers from the Elks gathered at the lodge yesterday to put the final touches on the packages, which were shipped yesterday afternoon. The project started three months ago, and for the past six weeks, Chuck has been collecting the items, sorting them and packing them. "It's great that people care and are trying to help us," said Jennifer, 20. Jennifer is serving in the Army BCO 27th MSB 1st Cavalry Division. She is responsible for driving trucks full of equipment to troops stationed around the country. According to Jennifer, the items she and her fellow soldiers miss the most are entertainment items. They are always looking for things like cards, games and DVDs, she said. But in addition to entertainment items, Jennifer said the one thing she missed the most was fast food. There's a Burger King on the base, but it doesn't taste like Burger King, she said. Instead, the troops call it Camel King. When she returns to duty, Jennifer will be responsible for helping move equipment back to Kuwait. She hopes to be do
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Elks make soldiers019 lives a little easier BY TARA PETERSEN Staff Writer MILLSTONE 014 Two local lodges are joining forces to help make a difference in a few soldiers019 lives. Millstone Elks Lodge 2613 and Freehold Elks Lodge 1454 have adopted a platoon, Marine Wing Squadron Support (MWSS) 472. According to Millstone lodge secretary Bill Dugasz, a member of the Freehold Elks Lodge has a son in the squadron. Dugasz said the lodges are accepting donations of toiletries, snacks and other items for the soldiers, but are particularly trying to give them the gift of gab by raising money for the purchase of phone cards so that during the holidays, they can call home.
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MISHNOCK -- Tears were shed, laughter was had and conversations were shared at the Blue Star Flag dinner at the Coventry/West Greenwich Elks on Wednesday night. Close to 10 local families who have loved ones currently serving in the military were invited to the dinner so they could be honored and presented with the Blue Star flag. Advertisement Louise and Norman Coutu, Tina Coute, and John and Fran Ahern, all of Coventry were among the family members honored. The Coutu019s 34-year-old son, Dale, who is part of the Army National Guard, is currently on his way to Iraq.According to Dale019s parents, his arrival was postponed because of the harsh fighting currently taking place along his arrival route.Dale has never before been overseas and is greatly missed by all in his family and his wife, the Coutus said. Tina Coute was at the dinner with several of her friends and family members while her husband Richard serves his country in Iraq.Richard Coute is 29 years old and is in the air national guard. He and Tina have been married for six years and of that six years, Tina said she recalls many of times that her husband has been shipped out on active duty, "it019s all part of the territory," she said. As soon as John and Fran Ahern019s son John turned 18, he told them he was going to enlist.After boot camp, and various other training missions, they had to say goodbye to John, who is just 20 years old now, on Sept. 22, 2003.Since his original departure, they have traveled to Fort Benning in Georgia to see their son but he still has some time to go in his medical training before he is permanently placed in either a hospital unit, a war zone medic clinic, or another in need designation.
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NEW EGYPT - The New Egypt Elks Lodge collected a variety of items for troops in Iraq. On Saturday, the side room of the Elks Lodge was filled, the result of Sue Hallock's dream come true. Boxes and boxes full of items for the troops were present. The lodge member never imagined there would be such an out pouring from the community for this event . Girl Scout troops, New Egypt and Allentown High Schools, and area Elementary schools gathered items such as energy bars, beef jerky, toiletries and candy. Anything small enough to fill a decorated shoe box. Many of the students enclosed letters wishing the troops well and thanking them for their service. Hallock's idea for gathering items for the troops on the front line went farther then she expected. After area residents heard about the collection on the radio, items started coming in from all over, including Freehold, Neptune, Yardley and Mt. Laurel. Chief Jim Whitley and Commander Anthony Esposito will be making sure these items get to the troops on the front lines in time for Christmas. Diane Tilghman was especially surprised to see the large number of materials being donated. She serves as the lodge's liaison with McGuire Air Force Base. The Lodge expressed their gratitude to those who contributed items and showed their overwhelming support for the project.
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Welcome home Members of state Guard unit praised for Iraq duty at party By Samara Kalk Derby December 13, 2004 E-mail this story to a friend Email this story to a friend Printer-friendly format Printer-friendly format Letter to the editor Tell us what you think Write a letter to the editor. Returning members of the Wisconsin Army National Guard's 32nd Military Police Company enjoy a welcome home lunch. Returning members of the Wisconsin Army National Guard's 32nd Military Police Company enjoy a welcome home lunch. (Photo by David Sandell/The Capital Times) His unit was attacked almost daily, said Capt. Scott Southworth, commander of the Wisconsin Army National Guard's 32nd Military Police Company, which spent more than a year in Iraq, mostly in Baghdad. "I am surprised that we didn't lose more soldiers," said Southworth, adding that the death of even one soldier was devastating. He was referring to Cpl. Michelle Witmer, who died in an ambush. Witmer, 20, of New Berlin, became the first woman in the history of the National Guard to die in combat when she was killed in Iraq last April. "Given the nature of the attacks and the severity of the attacks, we could have seen many more injured," Southworth said. The 32nd MP company, based in Madison and Milwaukee, has 175 soldiers, more than 150 of whom were deployed for duty in Iraq. Witmer was the only soldier from the unit killed. However, 20 were injured. The unit came home in July, but got together as a group this weekend for a ceremony and Christmas party Saturday and a welcome home celebration Sunday hosted by the Madison Elks Lodge on Jenifer Street.
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News Update Elks brighten Christmas for troops019 kids By Irene Hsiao, Tribune Santa came early this year in a fire truck for some Valley children who have parents fighting in the Middle East. He hopped out of the truck Saturday afternoon and into a group of cheering children. Waving and ringing a bell, Santa gave his signature "ho ho ho" and wished everyone a "Feliz Navidad." Mrs. Claus followed close behind, wearing a Santa hat and a black sweat suit. Military children and adults along with Scottsdale Elks Lodge No. 2148 members and their children joined together for the club019s annual Christmas party. About 150 people chowed on hamburgers and cake, the children received presents and stockings and some adults strolled around the cakewalk at the lodge, 6398 E. Oak St. "The kids are having a blast, it helps them take their minds off missing mom or dad," said Aimee Locke, a family assistance coordinator for the Arizona Army National Guard. The jumping castle was a favorite among the children and teenagers.
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Elks club makes a difference after renovating the home of GI's mother By RONI MONTGOMERY - Tribune Lifestyle Editor Given the opportunity, most people would like to make a difference in someone's life. The New Albany Elks Lodge 270 went beyond making a difference -- they changed someone's life. The organization recently completed their first Holiday Makeover Project, in which they renovated the home of a family in need. "We started the project during the holidays. We thought it would be nice to help a military family, since a large number of our fellow citizens are in the 151st National Guard unit," said Elks member Ed Snelling. "Tony Broderick, who heads the support group for spouses and families left behind after deployment, gave us several names of families in need." Snelling said the Elks interviewed the families, and chose the one who would benefit the most from the project. They chose Gloria Gillis, a Charlestown resident whose son -- Corporal Robin Michael Belleville -- was deployed to Afghanistan.
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Family group to hold soldier support day By: Vicki TillisMay 13, 2005 Email to a friend Voice your opinion FAIRFIELD-Community members will be showing their support for the 224th Engineer Battalion soldiers and families during Iowa Engineers Family Day from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds. The event, sponsored by The Greater Jefferson County Fair Board and open to the general public, also is a fund-raising event for the soldiers and family members of the Iowa Army National Guard's 224th Engr. Bn. "Certainly the fund raising is a part of this, but the most important part is for the community to come together and show its support for the soldiers and their families," said Lane Bush, a member of the planning committee The day's entertainment kicks off at 11 a.m. with a vocal performance by Jason Evans, followed by another vocal show by Harlan "Frosty" Van Voorst. Also beginning at 11 a.m., the Jefferson County Pork Producers, with assistance from Elks Lodge and Veterans of Foreign Wars members, will serve a pork sandwich meal.
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Connellsville group holding auction to benefit troops By Caroline Shannon Tribune-Review Friday, May 27, 2005 When President Bush officially declared war on Iraq in March 2003, Connellsville Area High School teacher Linda Shearer was busy making a plan. She was getting together a volunteer group called Support the Troops, asking students to send care packages to soldiers and write letters of gratitude. "The purpose was to remember those that continue to serve," Shearer said. After the group sponsored a Support the Troops Rally in April 2003, Shearer renamed it the Connellsville Area High School Patriots. So far, the group of about 20 students has shipped more than 1,650 packages to servicemen and women overseas.
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Bravo for B Company Guardsmen who helped rebuild Afghanistan get thank you. August 8, 2005 By JEFF MURRAY Star-Gazette jmurray@stargazette.com MISHA T. KWASNIEWSKI/Star-Gazette Brig. Gen. David F. Shepard, left, shakes Cpl. Nathan McCloskey's hand during a ceremony Sunday morning for Bravo Company at the Clemens Center in Elmira. They are mechanics and electricians and carpenters, and they spent a year away from loved ones helping to rebuild war-ravaged Afghanistan. On Sunday, the Army National Guard and the community had a message for B Company - job well done.
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Encinitas Elks serve up a good time to Marines By: DARRIN MORTENSON - Staff Writer ENCINITAS ---- After two back-to-back combat tours in Iraq, 22-year-old Marine Sgt. Rene Escobar said he is often touched by the simple gestures of civilians who reach out to thank him and his fellow Marines. Escobar was one of about 30 Camp Pendleton Marines and Navy corpsmen who were lavished with lunch, free beer and many warm pats on the back by North County residents Tuesday at Encinitas Elks Lodge 2243.
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Elks Lodge Sends Christmas to the Triple Deuce By: Mindy Hatfield Barbara Stringham, Bud Thomas and Don Custer delivered 129 Christmas care packages from the Dixie Elks Lodge to the Hurricane post office on Monday, Nov. 21, to be mailed to soldiers of the Triple Deuce. Family members and friends of soldiers serving in the Triple Deuce gathered together on Saturday, Nov. 19, at the St. George Elks Lodge to assemble the care packages for the soldiers. The day started out with a breakfast cooked by Elks Lodge members, crafts and notes for the kids to make, and packages for the families and friends to prepare. The Elks Lodge and area merchants donated most of the items for the care packages. Families provided more personal items that the soldiers have requested.
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Elks Lodge collecting items to send to soldiers overseas By Bob Holliday bholliday@pantagraph Advertisement BLOOMINGTON - Time is running out for a local club collecting donated items for American soldiers fighting overseas. Elks Lodge 281 in Bloomington is planning a last-minute push to get more donations before the drive ends later this month. Elks lodges across the state began collecting for soldiers in October.
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county game warden, asked Vermont soldiers serving in Iraq what they missed, they said jerky. "I asked them if there was anything we could send, and these guys are Vermont hunters, so they said, 'Yeah, if we could get some venison jerky,'" Buttle said. So starting last August law enforcement officers in Bennington County began their project to get the soldiers what they wanted. To harvest the meat, law enforcement officers looked for illegal kills or salvageable roadkills. There were also a few deer donated by area hunters. The effort yielded about 170 pounds of deer meat. But then came the question: How do you make jerky? Gene Guernin of Henry's Market in Bennington volunteered to make the sticks. Producing the jerky took a few weeks because of the processes involved and materials needed, including special casing made of beef hide. "I didn't spare any expense because it's venison," Guernin said. The local Elks Club picked up the bill for treating and shipping the venison.
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Elks and VFW combine to help troops From submitted reports For the past three years, Mountain Home Elks Lodge 1714 Veterans Committee has prepared and sent boxes to United States troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. The boxes contain items not readily available overseas such as sunscreen, eye wash, wet wipes, batteries, food items, snack items and hot sauce. Names of servicemen and servicewomen are given the lodge by members and their families.
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Elks buy more phone cards for Marines Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 12/18/06 RED BANK: Marines from the 6th Motor Transport Battalion, which is headquartered here, will get the chance to call home because Red Bank Elks Lodge 233 recently donated another $1,500 in phone cards to those serving in Iraq. The Elks have donated $3,000 this year to the phone card drive. Anyone wishing to make a donation may send it to: Red Bank Elks Lodge 233, Attn: Veterans Committee, 40 W. Front St., Red Bank, NJ 07701.
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Supper support: Red, White and Blue fundraiser benefits Chico Guard families By CHRIS GULLICK - Staff Writer Article Launched: 12/20/2006 12:19:38 AM PST Click photo to enlargeRed, White and Blue Christmas tree was up for auction at the Red, White and Blue Christmas Dinner...«1»Supper for support was the idea when more than 500 people filled the Chico Elks Lodge and filled their stomachs with tri-tip and all the fixings. The third annual Red, White and Blue Dinner took place Tuesday evening, a fundraiser to benefit the families of Chico National Guard members and to show community support for their sacrifice. The two previous dinners included an Internet video conference, when overseas personnel could see and talk to their families by Web cam during the evening, but the connection was not possible this year, for undisclosed reasons.
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Elks, PBA collecting items for Marines Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 02/7/07 RED BANK: Elks Lodge 233 and Red Bank Policemen's Benevolent Association Local 39 will collect items to send to troops stationed overseas with the 6th Motor Transport Battalion of the U.S. Marine Corps in Red Bank. The Elks and PBA are seeking donations of compact discs and DVDs as well as international phone cards, which are in great demand by troops stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Donations may be brought to Red Bank Police Headquarters, 90 Monmouth St, until the end of March and to the Elks Lodge 23, 40 W. Front St., where donations will be collected year-round. Larry Higgs
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NEWARK -- Socks, Oreos and lip balm might not sound like much, but these items can make a difference to U.S. soldiers serving in Iraq. For the past six weeks, Newark Elks have collected hundreds of such items thanks to donations from residents, especially from Park National Bank employees and Hebron residents, said Doug Marston, member of the Newark Elks Lodge 391. ADVERTISEMENT "We have lots of creature comfort that they aren't going to drag over there in the war zone," he said. Marston said about 12 boxes have been filled with items, including microwave popcorn, sun block and Q-tips. He said the Elks have had two similar drives in the past thanks to member John Edly's leadership.
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ILION - Ilion Elks Lodge No. 1444 has showed its support for the troops overseas by sending out a care package. Ken Dack is a member of the lodge and his grandson, Christopher Swienton, serves in Northern Iraq as a sergeant with the 82nd Airborne scouts. Dack says that the lodge sent the package to his grandson for him to share with the rest of his company. After that, the lodge received a thank you note signed by every member of the unit. The letter read: “Friends and Supporters from Ilion Lodge No. 1444, A huge “thank you!” to you for all your support and gifts! Knowing we have people back home supporting and caring about us helps us go through our days with a more positive attitude. Once again, Thank You Very Much! Sincerely, The troops from HHC 1-505 P.I.R. SCOUTS, 82nd ABN DIV.”
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