I’m happy to report our most recent Non Cash donations have reached $61,014, we have Cash donations of $13,112, bringing our total Veteran donations to $68,054. Our lodge sponsored Welcome Home Kits has reached $7,040. 

I’m very happy to report the Veterans Committee has two rifles to raffle off. We will start selling tickets this month. Money from the raffle will go into the Veterans Account and made available for veterans assistance initiatives. 

Last year we initiated our second lodge wide veterans benefited fund raiser, the “Veterans Day Games”! Please mark your calendars for these fun games on Saturday, November 8th. Of course there will be many raffle items to bid on as well. 

Also the lodge will be offering Free Breakfast for all veterans in our community on Veterans Day, Tuesday, November 11th. If you’re a veteran or know of one, bring them in for breakfast and fellowship on the 8th. Believe me you don’t want to miss Gail Markell’s B & G!

As always, you can help our homeless veterans by contributing new Undershorts and T-shirts (Med, Lg, XL), Jeans ( W 33, 34, 36) and Socks. Please place any NEW items in the green barrel in the lounge and USED items in the Pod in the front of the lodge. Do not place new items in the vet pod outside! As always, a big thank you for your continued support for our veterans! Don’t forget to put your phone number on all your Q of H’s tickets!

Bob

The Veterans Committee has established a Memorial to Honor our Veterans, First Responders, Fire and Police. Immediately outside our front door there are four enclosed cases that will hold 200 plaques where a veterans name, rank, years of service and military branch may be inscribed. This is a very visual way to honor our veteran and first responders, and is a fund raiser for our committee. Glass plaques will be sold for $75 for any member who wishes one for their service, for a friend or family members. We have one member who plans to obtain a plaque for his father, father-in-law and himself. Signup sheets are at the bar or can be obtained by emailing bobkielsa@gmail.com, lisahensley88@gmail.com or kayleenborah@gmail.com for application forms. An application is also included as an insert in the Bugle. All plaques will be placed on the wall in the order the application and payment are received.

Sponsored by Catalina Mountain Elks Lodge #2815

By Bob Kielsa

I’m excited to announce that our lodge has two more programs designed to support our military and veterans.

The first program is Recycle Cell Phones for our troops. Since 2004 this organization has recycled over 30 million devices, and have provided over 400 million free minutes by sending more than 5 million

calling cards to our service personnel overseas.

You can donate by dropping your used cell phones at the lodge or providing cash or a check (made out to Catalina Mountain Elks Lodge #2815) in an envelope marked for veterans committee in the Cell

Phone box in the lounge.

Our second program is through an organization called Intrepid Hospice. They are looking for volunteers willing to spend 30 to 45 minutes with those who have a short time left here on earth. One of the worst fears everyone experiences during this dying process is dying alone. You can make a difference.

Veterans are welcome! You know what’s in the heart of those who have served our country and seen others give their lives in this service. If you would like more information, or to sign up, please give

Lee Swengel, Intrepid House Chaplain a call at 682-777-5559.

My name is David Sides and I'm a member of the Outreach Department for The Pleural Mesothelioma Center.

Countless veterans are currently suffering from life-threatening illnesses that are a result of exposure to asbestos, a material that was commonly used in hundreds of military applications, products, and ships because of its resistance to fire. Veterans who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma even qualify for special benefits from the U.S Department of Veteran Affairs.

We recently published an educational guide about pleural mesothelioma, the most common type of mesothelioma.

For More Information, Click  Here