Lacey Elks Lodge Brings Local Veterans Together For Day On The Water

FORKED RIVER, NJ — Lacey Elks Lodge No. 2518 hosted 32 local veterans for a six-hour deep sea fishing trip aboard the Michelle 3 on June 23, 2026, sailing out of Point Pleasant Beach.

The outing marked the second consecutive year the Forked River lodge organized the event for veterans in the community.

Veterans spent the day on the water reeling in their own catch and sharing lunch as part of the trip. The event was open to all veterans in the area and was promoted through local Veterans Service Officers, the VFW, and Marine Corps League Detachment 22, according to the lodge.

To help offset the cost, Lacey Elks Lodge No. 2518 received a Freedom Grant through the Elks National Foundation, the charitable arm of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. The grant supports local Elks lodges in creating programs that honor and serve veterans in their communities, according to the lodge.

"Getting to spend the day on the water with these veterans is one of the highlights of our year," said Michael Day, Exalted Ruler of Lacey Elks Lodge No. 2518. "It's a small way for us to say thank you for their service, and we're grateful to the Elks National Foundation for helping make it possible again."

The day centered on giving veterans a chance to spend time together while enjoying a local fishing trip. The lodge said the goal was to make the outing available to as many local veterans as possible by working through area veterans organizations and service officers.