GOLD STAR FAMILIES HONORED AT ELKS LUNCHEON

August 8, 2015: Mission Viejo, SaddlebackValley Elks Lodge was the scene of a luncheon for families of Fallen Warriors.  Elk Thomas Banning lll, Colonel USAF Retired, welcomed the seventy people who attended the first annual Gold Star luncheon honoring the memories of Eight Servicemen who made the ultimate sacrifice.

The ceremony was opened with the Presentation of Colors by the Color Guard, US Marine Corps, 1^st Battalion, 5^th Marine Regiment from Camp Pendleton. Lodge Chaplain Dave Tucker gave the Invocation. Following the luncheon, Master of Ceremonies and Lodge Veterans Committee Chairman Dave Perry introduced the keynote speaker Greg Raths, Colonel, USMC, Retired. Eight Elks Veteran members made the individual presentations of Medals of Valor to the mothers of the eight Fallen Warriors.

Cathie Santee (son Lcpl. Marine Daniel Santee (Danny), 4/14/07) with Bill James, PER.

Mary Hargrove (son of Lcpl. Marine Justin Swanson, 11/10/09) with Harvey Langham.

Kim Zapp (son SN Coast Guard Scott Bradley Long, 2/2/05 died stateside ) with Jim Humphrey, PER.

Maria Simpson (son Lcpl. Marine Abraham Simpson, 11/9/04) with Sgt Glen Lewis and Cpl Gregory Kern.

Debi Win’E (son Spc. ARMY Trevor Win’E, 5/1/04) with Harold Allen, Trustee.

Sue Pollard (son Spc Justin W. Pollard, 12/30/03) with Larry Colgan.

Terry and Genia Meyer (son Brandon Meyer) KIA 1-28-08 with Charlie Hart, PER.

Pattie Church (son Hm Chase Church, Died state side ) with Norm Jones, PDDGER.

Evelyn Patino ( son Cpl. Caludio Patino IV, 6/22/10) with Frank Scarpine, Trustee.

(left to right) Lcpl Dakota Reese (Sandy, Utah), Sgt Glen Lewis (Kansas City, Mo), Cpl Gregory Kern (Pittsburgh, Pa), and Lcpl Joshua Stovall (Jefferson, In.)

MV Elks Dave Perry, Tom Banning, Lodge Chaplain Dave Tucker and Keynote Speaker Greg Raths, Colonel, USMC, Retired.

Dave Perry accepts a Certificate of Appreciate from Sue Pollard, President of Gold star Southern California and Hawaii and National Chaplin.