The week of Independence Day when America reflects on its beginnings and its continued quest for freedom reaffirms the expression that freedom is not free.
The American soldier has been there for us from the beginning while we go about our daily lives.
Members of Derby Elk Lodge 571 and Catholic War Veterans (CWV) Post 1562 combined efforts to give a little back during this holiday season to some Valley Veterans with help from Shop Rite of Derby to distribute some holiday cheer — bags of grilling items like hot dogs, hamburgers, buns and condiments.
Derby Elks Lodge 571 paid for the food and the Girl Scouts donated cookies to CWV for the “cookies for heroes” program.
Teams from both organizations working together delivered the goodies to thirty-three Veterans, while some Vets picked up their package at the Post.
As Derby Elks Exalted Ruler Jerome Coolidge stated, “As long as there are Vets we don’t forget.”
Pictured here from both organizations from left are, Tony Gorlewski, Paul Bolton, Christine Gorlewski, Pete Gagne, Norma Fitzgerald, Loretta Budd, Maxine Sember, Evelyn Conroy, Paul “PJ” Konner, Elizabeth Seyler, Jerome Coolidge.
