Sunday, Dec. 4 the Garland Elks Lodge #1984 located on Duck Creek hosted a Veteran Appreciation Christmas Party for approximately 50 veterans who were transported from the Dallas VA Hospital for an afternoon of dancing, karaoke contest, fellowship and a massive feast. Exalted Ruler, Jim Meehan and several of the officers and members were on hand to greet the veterans. City Council Members Scott LeMay and Stephen Stanley were also in attendance and brought several Wal-Mart gift cards as raffle prizes for the veterans. The Veteran Committee under the leadership of Veteran Chairman Louise Clark and Co-Chairman Delana Andrews raffled off several nice gift cards and prizes that really brought a smile to the veterans.
LeMay said that he was honored to join the veterans for the Christmas celebration.
“The Elks Club hosts
this celebration for the veterans every year but this is the first time I’ve been able to go,” he said. “It was great to spend the day with them and talk to them.”
LeMay added that while working in the serving line, he noticed that the veterans, most of who served in Viet Nam, are still proud of their service and they continue to enjoy a deep-rooted camaraderie.
Grant Committee Chairman Cathy Leslie worked diligently for two months to secure food from the following local restaurants: MiCocina; Baker’s Ribs; Celebration Cafe; Whistling Pig; Nickel & Rye; Ali-Baba; David’s Meat Market; Nothing Bundt Cakes; Culver’s Toni Rivard Cakeballs; Chic-Fil-A; Lockhart Smokehouse; Golden Corral; Tart Bakery; Soulman’s; Alligator Cafe; Zoe’s Kitchen; Target; JAXX Steahouse; Anvil Pub; Souper Salads; Fat Rabbit; Crossroads Diner; Lazy Dog Restaurant; Jack Mac Swill & Grill; Babe’s Chicken House; Dandelion Cheesecakes; Grub Restaurant; Gemma Dallas; The Tamale Comp
any; Cock and Bull; Kroger; Target; Central Market; Rapsacllion; Matt’s Martinez and Braum’s Ice Cream. All provided the veterans with an enormous buffet.
Entertainment was provided by DJ Stephanie Shotwell with a surprise appearance by Elvis (Johnny Lovett). There were more than 125 people in attendance and a great time was had by all.
The Veterans arrived at 11 a.m. and departed at 4 p.m. with gift bags and clothes/shoes from the clothes pantry. The Garland Elks Lodge alongside the Mesquite Elks Lodge visits the veterans at the VA Hospital on the fourth Tuesday of each month wherein a full meal is provided for their enjoyment and the veterans play bingo with prizes donated by the Garland and Mesquite Lodges.