Yankee Trails

02 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8 The Villages ® Community yankeetrails.com | 352.633.4643 T C L U B O F T H E M O N T H Stonecrest Veterans he Stonecrest Veterans Club at the Villages of Florida supports our nation's heroes by providing them with opportunities to socialize and build camaraderie. The nearly 300-member organization meets on the first Tuesday of every month, September through May. These brave warriors have served during World War II, Korea and the Vietnam era. Roger Giroux, commander of the group, says they've been around for more than 20 years, and manage a Veterans Memorial Park that was gifted by the original developer of the property to start the club all those years ago. The park honors servicemen and women, and remembers lives lost through granite plaques with names inscribed. When a servicemember passes away a star is engraved next to their name to signify their passing. The group plans and hosts a variety of social events, including very popular dances and cookouts. Aside from the social aspect of the group, Stonecrest Veterans continue their service through charitable giving in the community; these fundraising efforts range from supporting schools to contributing to a fund to help veterans financially. Stonecrest Veterans also brings in speakers to talk about military experiences as well as benefits offered to people who served in our nation's military. Recently, a veteran came to share a book he wrote about his experience in the Iraq War. Other presentations have focused on topics such as services and benefits available to veterans, including how to prepare for passing, managing the process and planning where one would like to be buried. Most ideas for community support and new speaker engagements come from current members or stories seen in local papers. The group is currently looking to expand on the memorials placed in the park and to connect back to their mission of supporting veterans by recognizing servicemembers, the wars they fought, the lives lost and giving back to the community in the process. Contact Kelly McKiever at kmckiever@yankeetrails.com Would you like your group to be featured as Club of the Month?

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