Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter #63 (Clermont County) Commander Steve Smith (left) accepts a donation check for $656.00 from Jon Clark, (right) representing the Moscow Masonic Lodge 122. According to Mr. Clark, each year, the Moscow Masonic Lodge 122 provides a donation to a Clermont County organization that “provides meaningful service to residents. This year, DAV Chapter #63 was selected to be the recipient of our donation.” Photograph courtesy Terry Cann of the Masonic Lodge 122. A large contingent of Masons from Moscow Masonic Lodge 122 visited the last Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter #63 (Clermont County) May monthly meeting with the sole purpose of presenting the Chapter with a donation.
Mr. John R. Clark, a Vietnam Army veteran and Worship Master of the Lodge, presented DAV Chapter Commander Steve Smith with a check for $656.00 to continue the chapter’s many projects, programs and services. Following the check presentation, the Lodge members, a majority composed of military veterans, stayed for the meeting.
During the meeting the DAV Chapter discussed their success with the VA Surplus Medical Equipment Distribution Project; their participation with the Soulstang PTSD Veterans Therapy Program; supporting the Heroes on the Water for veterans at the Southern Ohio Veterans Home; and their planned Memorial Day Activities at seven (7) Clermont County cemeteries.
“We have an active Chapter supporting our veterans in Clermont County,” stated Commander Smith, “and we were recently blessed with receiving a $1,000 performance grant from the DAV Department of Ohio to support our many activities.”
“That was followed by another DAV Ohio Department check for $200.00 to co-sponsor our Second Annual Women Veterans Luncheon, which was held last month,” continued Smith. “I will be working to make the Women Veterans Luncheon an annual affair to honor all women veterans for their service.”
The Lodge 122 members were also interested in our advanced planning with the Korean War Veterans Association (KWVA) Chapter #121 (Greater Cincinnati) for June 25, 2024, recognition of the 74th Observance of the start of Korean War. The presentation of the wreath is planned to be held at the Korean War Monument in front of the Clermont County Courthouse.
“We certainly welcomed the Masonic Lodge 122 members attending our DAV meeting and presenting a check for $656.00 for our Chapter to continue our programs and projects for disabled veterans,” noted Commander Smith.
“I promised the members of Masonic Lodge 122 that we would send them a copy of our four (4) page, 2023 Annual Chapter Report listing our programs, projects, and services that our members accomplished last year,” stated the Chapter Commander.
“I also promised them that in our future 2024 Annual Report, we will document how all of our received donations, including their valued donation, was used to assist disabled veterans,” added Smith.
“The dual cornerstones of our DAV Chapter are ‘accountability and transparency.’ Every cent we receive in donations goes directly for programs and services to disabled veterans,” said the Commander.
“Copies of our 2023 Annual Report are free of charge to the public, and available by contacting our Chapter Adjutant at plahovinsak@msn.com ,” concluded Smith.
The Masons attending included Mr. Roscoe Cartwright, who served two (2) tours of duty in Vietnam and was inducted in the Ohio’s Military Hall of Fame; John Clark; Terry Cann; Austin Clark; and Gary Acres.
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