1ST Annual Veterans and Active Military Appreciation Event hosted by the St. Albans Elks lodge and the 14TH Star Brewery

Posted on September 13, 2016September 17, 2016

(These comments were posted on the St. Albans Elks Lodge #1566 Facebook page by Stacey Trudo, Veterans affairs for the lodge)

Thank you to all of the veterans and active military personnel and theirs families who took time out of their day to come to ours and 14th Star Brewery’s 1st Annual Appreciation Event! We can not thank you all enough for all of your sacrifices and service to our country! It was such a great event! We hope to see you all and more next year! Thank you so much to all of our food and prize sponsors! We couldn’t have done it without you! Thank you to all of our Elks’s and 14th Star volunteers! We could not have done it without you!

Just some of the Veterans / Active members in attendance

Brian Brady (Army Guard), Sandra Bracey (St. Albans Lodge ER), Gary Rice (Army – Vietnam) and Stacey Trudo (Lodge Veterans Affairs)

Elroy with Marcus and Madison Gagner

Andrea Gagner (CEO 14th Star), Valerie Pollotta (Josh Pollotta Fund), Jill Trombley (14th Star),

Sandra Bracey (Lodge #1566 ER) and Stacey Trudo (Veterans Affairs – Lodge #1566)

BARRE ELKS LODGE FRATERNAL NEWS – VETERANS

Posted on August 23, 2016

Members of Barre Elks Lodge presented eleven Veteran residents of Rowan Court Nursing Home with paintings from their Painting for Patriots event held in the spring. Over forty guests painted an original painting created by Sue Brassard of A Taste of Art. Some guests chose to donate their paintings to Veteran residents of area nursing homes. Others purchased their paintings with proceeds benefiting the Veterans programs at Barre Elks Lodge. If you know of a Veteran who would enjoy an original painting, please call Exalted Ruler Kristin Calcagni at 522-7675.

Back Row L to R: Exalted Ruler Kristin Calcagni, Elks member Karen Bingham, Loyal Knight Maureen Lawson, Leading Knight Donna Bartolucci. Front Row L to R: Rowan Court Veteran residents Fred, Mitzi and John.

From L to R: Leading Knight Donna Bartolucci, Exalted Ruler Kristin Calcagni, member Karen Bingham, Veteran resident David and Loyal Knight Maureen Lawson.

041.jpg: From L to R: Leading Knight Donna Bartolucci, member Karen Bingham and Loyal Knight Maureen Lawson pose with Veteran resident Leon.

Barre Area Veterans Council placed American flags along Main street.

Posted on May 31, 2016

Members of the Barre Area Veterans Council placed American flags along Main street in Barre. The Veterans Council is comprised of members from Barre Lodge of Elks #1535, American Legion Post #10, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #790 and Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. The council is dedicated to serving, honoring and remembering Veterans in central Vermont. Flags were purchased with donations from community members in honor of Veterans past and present.

Top of Ladder Ron Tallman, Bottom of Ladder Chip Paine

Rachel Barney, Chuck Barney, Cole Barney

Barre Elks Lodge continues its tradition of supporting The Veterans Place in Northfield, Vermont

Posted on April 24, 2016

Barre Elks Lodge continued its tradition of supporting The Veterans Place in Northfield, Vermont. Barre Lodge utilized a $2000 Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant to purchase housing items for Veterans transitioning from the Veterans Place into their own housing. Members purchased, organized and packaged “Welcome Home” kits that contained sheets, towels, blankets, coffee makers, kitchen utensils, crock-pots, microwaves, Tupperware and other items needed to set up a house.

According to The Veterans Place director Karen Boyce, “Without you, several Veterans would not have had the nice start that they did have when they transitioned from our house.” Currently, the Veterans Place is serving 26 Veterans. Veterans transition in and out of the Veterans Place throughout the year.

Elk members brought loads of items, filling a storage room, then enjoyed brownies and Ben & Jerry’s ice cream for dessert. Veterans ages 28 – 77 years old told stories of their time serving and their plans for the future. The Veterans Place residents will be participating in the Barre Heritage Festival and Northfield Labor Day festivities to raise funds for their programs.

From L to R: Veterans Kyle Ford, David Castine, Director Karen Boyce, Tim Gilman, Bob Shaw, Willy Lamoureux Jr, Dean Bouvier and Walter Pinette.

From L to R: Veterans Kyle Ford, David Castine, Director Karen Boyce, Tim Gilman, Bob Shaw, Willy Lamoureux Jr,

Dean Bouvier, Walter Pinette, Clint Thibodeau and Scott Smith.

From L to R: Elk members Kim Baker, Kristin Calcagni, Karen Bingham, David Bingham, Donna Bartolucci and Chip Paine.

From L to R: Orin Pittsley, Air Force & Army Veteran, Bob Davis,
Army National Guard Veteran and Leading Knight Donna Bartolucci.

Story and pictures provided by the Barre Elks Lodge.

Windsor Elks honor area veterans with a dinner and gifts

Posted on November 16, 2015

On Saturday November 7th the Windsor Elks Lodge #1665 honored the area veterans with a roast pork dinner and then presented them with gifts. Every veteran got at least 5 gifts. The most important gifts were blankets representing the four branches of service, Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines. One service member from each branch was drawn and presented with the blanket that was of the branch he was in. The blankets were donated by Elk members Carol Sylvia and Marge Gallant (Marge did the sewing). They came out beautiful and were well received by the veterans.

Above are three of the veterans who received blankets representing their branch of service. and Jean Crosby (One the Elks heading up the event). Left to right Jean Crosby Elks member who headed up the event, Bernie Williams (Army), Robert Loyd (Navy), Stephen (Dyd) Titus (Air Force) and Elk J. R. Crosby. Not pictured is Marine Stanley Melinski who is hospitalized but is usually present. He is usually the only Marine present so the blanket was taken to him by Elks members Jean Crosby and her husband J.R.Crosby.

Jean Crosby and Stephen Titus giving a full view of the Air Force blanket. They are both Elk members.

Elks preparing dinner for veterans. Some of the people shown are also members of Windsor American Legion Post #25 and are also Elks members. Pictured l-r: Jean Crosby, Dwayne Olmstead, Tracy Quigley, Jim Cantara, Donna Sayer and Ronald Vezina. The event was also sponsored in conjunction with the Legion.

The next picture is of the veterans seated for dinner. There was 31 veterans singed up and so there was over 60 served.

“NOVEMBER IS ELKS VETERANS REMEMBRANCE MONTH”

Posted on November 9, 2015

Chicago, IL. October 27,2015: Some twenty-two million veterans live in our communities. The Elks National President, Ronald L. Hicks, has a proclaimed November as Veterans Remembrance Month as a way to encourage us to find local veterans and help them with their needs.

As Elks, we can never do enough for our Veterans and their families who have sacrificed so much for us. The Iraq and Afghanistan Wars alone have generated more than 2 million young veterans, many of whom have returned home with disabling injuries, while more than 18% of new Veterans suffer from PTSD (2008 Rand Corporation study).

The Elks proudly declare: “So long as there are Veterans, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks will never forget them.” among our ongoing efforts to back up that statement, we make our presence known in every VA hospital; adopt veterans in need of support; assist military families with our Army of Hope; place POW/MIA tables in our Lodges; and participate in Stand Downs for homeless veterans. To learn more, visit www.Elks.Org/vets/.”

And just recently, the Elks have entered into a partnership with Veterans Health Administration to support efforts for homeless Veterans in their communities. To this end the Elks have pledged $4 million to help end Veteran homelessness.

Let us remember to thank our Veterans and to show our appreciation in some special way every day, not just in November. And, should you see a member of our Armed Services in uniform, please march right up to him or her and say: “Thank you for your service, Have a great day!” It is the least we can do.

To learn more visit www.elks.org

The Barre Area Veterans Council presents 93 American flags to the City of Barre

Posted on November 9, 2015

The Barre Area Veterans Council compromised of members of Barre Elks Lodge #1535, American Legion Post #10, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 790 and Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War Camp 302 presented 93 American flags to the City of Barre. The flags will be flown on Main Street on Memorial Day, Flag Day, July 4th and Veterans Day.

Photo taken by Teresa Paine – From L to R: Paul Poirer, Barre Elks and City council member, Charles Dindo, City council member, Michael Smith, City council member, Paul Perreault, VFW Post 790 Commander, Michael Boutin, City council member, Thomas Lauzon, Barre City Mayor, Dan Witcher, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War Camp 302, Lucas Herring, City council member, Chip Paine, Barre Elks Lodge PER, Ron Tallman, Chair of Barre Area Veterans Council, Connie Weston, American Legion Auxiliary Post 10.

BARRE ELKS LODGE PARTNERS WITH “A Taste of Art”

Posted on July 31, 2015

Barre Elks Lodge partnered with “A Taste of Art” to host “Painting for Patriots”, our first ever painting party. Instructor Sue Brassard walked participants through painting their very own masterpiece. Attendees had the option of donating their painting to a Veteran in an area nursing home or purchasing it with proceeds benefitting our Veterans programs. Eighteen painted masterpieces were donated back to the Elks Lodge to be delivered to Veterans living at Woodridge Nursing home.

A special thank you to Sue Brassard from A Taste of Art for donating her time and expertise at this event. For future painting parties at Barre Elks Lodge, check out http://www.atasteofartvt.com/

Painting for Patriots attendees Barb Watters and her daughters Hailey (L) and Kelsey (R).

L to R: Americanism Chairperson Maureen Lawson, Veteran Lawrence Wade and Leading Knight Kristin Calcagni

Barre Lodge provides support for the Veterans’ Place in Northfield, Vermont

Posted on July 21, 2015

Barre Elks Lodge #1535 was the recipient of a $2000 Beacon Grant from Elks National Foundation again this year. Beacon Grants offer Elks Lodges the opportunity to develop an ongoing, charitable, Elks-led community project.

Barre Lodge chose to continue it’s work with the Veterans’ Place in Northfield, Vermont to help meet and fulfill the needs of the Veterans it serves. The Veterans’ Place is a transitional housing facility combined with assistive services for Homeless Veterans in Central Vermont. Their goal is to help Homeless Veterans transition from the homeless population. The purpose of the Veterans’ Place is to help Vermont’s Homeless Veterans by providing desperately needed resources in an all-in-one locale so these Veterans may regain their PRIDE, reach their full potential, and once again become contributing members of society.

Lodge members purchased essential items needed by Veterans transitioning from the Veterans’ Place into their own housing. This year, Barre Lodge focused on kitchen items such as pots and pans, can openers, cookie sheets, silverware, utensils, cutting boards, storage containers, glasses, pizza pans, mixing bowls, crock pots, measuring spoons and cups, glasses, and baking dishes. Items were presented in laundry baskets as “welcome home kits”. The kits also contained brooms, mops and garbage cans. Eight American flags and brackets were also donated as part of the Lodge’s Americanism program. Each Veteran transitioning from the Veterans’ Place will be able to use items from their kit to set up their new home.

This is the second year that Barre Elks Lodge has received a $2000 Beacon Grant from Elks National Foundation. Barre Lodge is looking forward to continuing it’s relationship with the Veterans’ Place by providing for Veterans in need.

Photos Attached: Photos taken by Kristin Calcagni

Stacks of Tupperware containers & crock pots for Veterans transitioning out of the Veterans’ Place

Residents of the Veterans’ Place assisting Barre Elks Lodge members

Residents of the Veterans’ Place

From L to R: Barre Elks Lodge member Tracie Watson, the Veterans’ Place Director Karen Boyce, Leading Knight Kristin Calcagni, Lecturing Knight Maureen Lawson, Esquire Cindy Wedding, Inner Guard Lori Major, Veterans’ Place resident Norman, Barre Elks Lodge Trustee Dave Bingham, Veterans’ Place resident Clint and Veterans’ Place case worker Clayton Wood

Flag Day Ceremony

Posted on July 6, 2015July 6, 2015

Barre Elks Lodge #1535 held it’s annual Flag Day Ceremony in conjunction with American Legion Barre Post #10, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #790, Ladies Auxiliary of VFW Post #790 and American Legion Post #10 and Sons of the Union Veterans Civil War.

The Barre Tones, an all female a Capella singing group performed the “Star Spangled Banner”, “The Grand Old Flag” and “God Bless America” under the direction of Carol Hollenbeck.

Guest speaker, Frank Hotaling, First Sergeant, US Army Retired provided the Flag day address.

The winners of Barre Elks Lodge Flag Day coloring contest were announced and honored at the conclusion of the ceremony.

From L to R: Barre Elks Lodge Trustee David Bingham, member Sue Tallman, Lecturing Knight Maureen Lawson, member Sandra Calcagni, Loyal Knight Donna Bartolucci, member and Guest Speak Frank Hotaling, Tiler Corie Dunn, Past Exalted Ruler Chip Paine, Leading Knight Kristin Calcagni, Exalted Ruler Stacy Holden, Esquire Cindy Wedding and Past Exalted Ruler Leonard Normandeau.