TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Many across the country will celebrate Independence Day, but one local organization honored their veterans with a special presentation.
The Moose Lodge is a fraternal organization in Terre Haute. Administrator Steve Large said the lodge brings together families through a number of events, activities, and community service.
“We have Texas hold’em every Monday here at the lodge”, Large said. “We have karaoke every Thursday with two different karaokes, then we have a breakfast, all you can eat breakfast, every other Saturday. Then every Saturday night we have a meal and a band.”
To celebrate the Fourth of July, member Dena Samm decided to honor the organizations veterans with a special gift that will be shown in the lodge for years to come.
“We have plaques on a wall, it’s called the wall of honor”, Samm said. “We wanted to show appreciation for our veterans and what they’ve done for us to come our freedoms.”
Terre Haute Mayor Brandon Sakbun presented the plaque to the lodge veterans.
“I cannot thank you all enough for your service, not just to this country, but to this community”, Sakbun said. “We need the VFW’s, the American Legion’s, the Moose Lodge’s. These are groups where folks can come together and socialize, relax, share stories, share bonds. These are the types of groups and gatherings that make communities, communities.”
Sakbun ended the ceremony encouraging the veterans to inspire the next generation.
“Enjoy this Fourth of July, thank you for putting this all together”, Sakbun said. “Thank you for putting the plaque together and getting the names and years of service. Please, talk to our younger Hoosiers and let them know there is no military like ours.”
The Moose Lodge is a part of a bigger family with Mooseheart, which takes care of children and Moosehaven, which takes care of elderly. The lodge is always taking member and encourages everyone to get involved in the Terre Haute community.
