Veronica Wernicke

Debbie Lynam, of the Village of Charlotte, puts together Thanksgiving donations for local families at the American Legion Post 347. The donations will go to families of students at Villages Elementary of Lady Lake and Carver Middle School. Rachel Govola, Daily Sun

Chapter member Susan Bays interviews World War II veteran Irving Locker. Submitted photo

Jerry White, left, of the Village of Pennecamp and member of Col. Phillip C. DeLong Marine Corps League Detachment 1267, assists Richard Rose, center, of the Village of Hillsborough, and Annette LeRoux, of the Village of St. Charles, as they participate with the Village Vettes Corvette Club to pack a truck with toys donated by the club for Toys for Tots at George Nahas Chevrolet in Wildwood.

U.S. Air Force veteran Susan Aungst, left, of the Village of Mallory Square, and U.S. Navy veteran Kathy Contres, of the Village of Fenney, are among the 28 local women veterans featured in the new She Proudly Served: Women in the Military exhibit. Submitted photos

Marine veteran Derek Mahoney, of Ocklawaha, and Army veteran Clayton Quest, of Ocala, load a glass table top while working at the Restoring Hope Thrift Store in Wildwood. Donations like the ones from The Village Critters help veterans like Mahoney and Quest transition back into civilian life after the military. Bill Mitchell, Daily Sun

Cynthia Cornish, center, and her grandson Jace Scourtas, center right, both of Hudson, become emotional during the Service of the Unattended at Florida National Cemetery. Sophia Lucente, Daily Sun

Villager Heath Davenport, U.S. Army veteran, recently went through the Life Reins equine therapy program at S.A.D.L.E.S. Ranch in Umatilla. In 2024, Band of Brothers donated $28,900 to veteran charities in the surrounding area, including to Life Reins.

Jim Stasse, an assistant office manger of American Legion Post 347 and resident of the Village of Gilchrist, adds crutches to the inventory of medical supplies at American Legion Post 347. Joseph Cooke, Daily Sun

Marie Bogdonoff, from left, founder and CEO of Villagers for Veterans and a Village of Pine Ridge resident, stands in the living room of Ashley’s Cottage in Fruitland Park with Sara Kallioinen, of the Village of Sanibel, and Diana Caputo, of the Village of Duval, who quilted dog beds for service dogs sponsored by Villagers for Veterans, as well as American flag pillows for Ashley’s House in Eustis.

Val Spangler, right, of the Village of Buttonwood and a representative of Khaki Quilters, presents a Quilt of Valor to United States Army veteran Guy Wilkinson, of the Village of Santo Domingo, at Eisenhower Recreation. George Horsford, Daily Sun