Veterans honored with patriotic program

Area veterans honored by the Pratt Elks Lodge on Monday, November 11, 2024 included (front, from left) Tim McElyea, Harold Voss, Ross Hoyt, Dean Hoover, Lonny Detmer, Wayne Parsons, Jack Veverka, and Marvin Thomas. Back row: Left to right: Harold Stultz, Allan Schnittker, Eric Killough, Kenny Gates, Miss Kansas Alexis Smith, Roger Sewell, Captain David Teska, Rod Prosser, Kerry Cox, Brandon Slyter, Gordon Stull, Ken Lewton, Richard Smith, Larry Honeman, Houston Collier, Roger Davis, Ernie Smith, Don Patton, Steve Parsons, Jim Wondra and Steve Stelzer. Photo by Barb Prater

By Janie Bishop, Veteran’s Chair
Pratt Elks Lodge #1451
Special to the Tribune

What a splendid evening it was to celebrate our cherished veterans at the Pratt Elks Lodge #1451 Veteran Dinner on November 11, 2024! Twenty-nine valiant veterans and four widows graced the occasion, representing every branch of the military.

Each veteran in attendance was honored with a flag from their respective service. Eight new veterans joined the ranks of the Pratt Elks Lodge, receiving a heartfelt “Certificate of Appreciation” along with a star crafted from a retired flag. Merle Rose and Dave Johnston were lovingly memorialized with a touching reading of their military journeys and poignant stories.

We were graced by the presence of Miss Kansas, Alexis Smith, and our keynote speaker was the esteemed Captain David Teska of the United States Coast Guard. Among the distinguished veterans present were: Roger Sewell, Captain David Teska, Rod Prosser, Kerry Cox, Brandon Slyter, Kenny Gates, Roger Davis, Houston Collier, Harold Voss, Jack Veverka, Steve Stelzer, Jim Pelzl, Don Patton, Jim Wondra, Larry Honeman, Dean Hoover, Tim McElyea, Marvin Thomas, Wayne Parsons, Steve Parsons, Lonny Detmer, Ross Hoyt, Eric Killough, Ernie Smith, Gordon Stull, Richard Smith, Harold Stultz, Allan Schnittker, and Ken Lewton.

Volunteers from the Pratt Elks Lodge prepared a delicious dinner of roast beef and homemade noodles served over mashed potatoes with green beans and a variety of homemade cakes. Members of the Lutheran Church and Pratt Elks Lodge served the meal.

The evening resonated with beautifully sung patriotic melodies by local Pratt group Joyful Noise, and Reagan Blasi performed the national anthem (‘Star Spangled Banner’) and ‘God Bless America.’

Our veterans program proudly supports the Kansas Honor Flight and the Kansas Soldiers Home. The “Swingin’ Fore Veterans Golf Scramble” raised ample funds to bolster these vital programs for our veterans, as well as to rejuvenate the patio at the Pratt Elks Lodge with the forthcoming “Veteran’s Veranda” in 2025.

A veterans breakfast is set to unfold in February of 2025. Thank you to all who attended and shared in this momentous celebration.

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