New Hampshire Elks National Veterans Service Committee Supports Harbor Care's Vets in Manchester
Norman Lavallee, NHENVSC- Nashua Elks Lodge 720; Dave Tille, Director of Veteran Services, Harbor Care; Ray Greenlaw, Rep. NHENVSC - Vet Chairman, Manchester Elks Lodge #146; Jack Balch, Chair NHENVSC- PER Nashua Elks Lodge 720.
On a gorgeous New Hampshire day and under the deep blue skies of late September, Jack Balch, Ray Greenlaw, and Norman LaVallee, leading members of the New Hampshire Elks National Veterans Service Commission (NHENVSC), were the honored quests at a cookout with local veterans in Manchester, NH. Jack, Ray, and Norman joined the residents of Harbor Care’s BAE Independence Hall to celebrate, enjoy a meal, and get to know each other better.
NHENVSC recently donated $1,000 toward grounds beautification to three of Harbor Care’s veteran housing communities – Buckingham Place in Nashua, BAE Systems Independence Hall in Manchester, and Boulder Point in Plymouth, NH. NHENVSC members are staunch supporters of Harbor Care’s veterans in Nashua, but this was is their first time they visited our veterans’ facility in Manchester.
The grounds around these residences are important to the residents, not only as a source of relaxation, but also socialization; the vets enjoy coming together outside to chat in the afternoon sun, and perhaps share a meal. When members of the NHENVSC learned that the vets of BAE Systems Independence Hall didn’t have a way to prepare food in their new, beautiful green space, they provided an additional $300 for a new grill.
In thanks for their generosity, Harbor Care and the veterans of BAE Systems Independence Hall hosted the Nashua Elks at a “grill-christening party” with hot dogs, grilled chicken, burgers, salad, sodas, and chips. David Tille, Director of Veteran Services at Harbor Care, says:
Members of NHENVSC usually volunteer and cook for us. This time, we are turning the tables by providing food, supplies, and volunteers so they can relax and be served. We honor them for their undying support for our veterans -- not only in Nashua but across New Hampshire.
NHENVSC members return the veterans’ gratitude; Jack Balch says: “This wonderful event is best described by the Elks Pledge: ‘So long as there are veterans, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks will never forget them’.”
Dave Tille, Director of Veteran Services, Harbor Care; Ray Greenlaw, Rep. NHENVSC - Vet Chairman, Manchester Elks Lodge #146; Jack Balch, Chair NHENVSC-PER Nashua Elks Lodge 720; Norman Lavallee, NHENVSC - Nashua Elks Lodge 720.