By Kathy Feist
The Grandview Hickman Mills Elks Lodge celebrated a visit from the Missouri Elk Association State President with a Veterans Appreciation Dinner held Friday, November 8th, at the lodge located in Grandview.
Honoring State President Jim Ross fit nicely with the club’s veterans appreciation dinner. Ross served in the U.S. Army from 1970-1972 as a radio teletype operator at Ft. Hood, TX. Ross and his wife Kathy were welcomed to the area with a proclamation from Grandview Mayor Leonard Jones, honoring him for his service in the army and in the Elks community. The Ross’s are from De Soto, MO, near St. Louis. Their visit to the Grandview Hickman Mills Lodge marks their 50th of 70 tour stops throughout the state.
Ross had the honor of presenting the Elks’ State Veteran Coin to 99-year-old Navy vet Ben Teevan, Jr. of Grandview. Teevan moved from County Cavan, Ireland, soon after he was born in 1925. He enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserves on December 15, 1943. His first duty assignment was aboard the battleship USS Alabama on May 6, 1944, where he was rated a Seaman Second-Class gunner. Teevan participated in the “Lucky A’s” Pacific Theater Campaigns (May 1944 to September 1945). Prior to his honorable discharge, Teevan was raised to Seaman First Class. Some of the ribbons he was awarded included the American Theater Campaign Ribbon, Asiatic-Pacific Theater Campaign Ribbon, Philippine Liberation Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal.
Last month, for his birthday, Teevan returned to the USS Alabama in Mobile, Ala., for a tour. “It was an honor for him and also an honor for those around him,” announced emcee and Lodge Exalted Ruler Tom Heller at the event. Last year, Teevan was gifted a piece of the ship’s decking while being awarded by the Grandview Board of Alderman for Civic Leadership and Citizen of the Year.
Members Jim Dougan and Greg Ingels were singled out and recognized as Purple Heart recipients during the Vietnam War.
Other Elk members who served in the military had an opportunity to be applauded when they stood while their branch hymns were played.
Guest speaker Jessica Barszczak, who serves as spokesperson for the Kansas City’s VA Medical Center, thanked the military service men and the Elks Lodges. Last year, the VA–and its Fisher House–received $44,000 in donations from area Elks Lodges, according to Barszczak.
Around 100 members attended the catered dinner which consisted of ham, brisket, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, carrots, dinner roll and cake. (The following day was Ross’ birthday.) Guests were served by members of Scout Troops #6010, #2244 and #101. The Dan Riggs Big Band performed during the cocktail hour.