Elks, veterans attend Cast & Blast
Published 8:53 pm Monday, October 6, 2025
Lake Oconee Elks Lodge No. 2849 in partnership with SCI (Safari Club International, Ga Chapter) and Glasslined Technologies proudly hosted the Cast & Blast Wounded Veterans Celebration on Sept. 11-13.
The veterans arrived Thursday, Sept. 11 to a getaway filled with activities, guest speakers, meals and fellowship. The vets came from Fort Benning, Augusta, the Georgia War Veterans Home in Milledgeville, the Dublin VA and the Atlanta VA. The veterans checked in at the cabins at Rock Eagle on Thursday and enjoyed a buffet dinner at the Lakeside Pavilion. They also listened to a 9/11 program presented by Elk Bill Lewis, followed by guest speaker and wounded veteran Lonny Riley, with fellowship around a fire pit after dinner.
They also enjoyed fishing on Sunday. They arrived at the Old Salem Campground with a morning filled with fishing on Lake Oconee. The Vets enjoyed lunch and then had a fun afternoon skeet shooting at Old Hudson Plantation. They finished up the day at Rock Eagle with dinner and relaxation after a fun filled day.
On Saturday, September 13, the veterans arrived at the Old Salem Campground for breakfast and then headed to the staging area at Home Depot for the Wounded Veterans Honor Ride down Lake Oconee Parkway.
The Honor Ride was led by Sheriff Donnie Harrison and his deputies from Greene County, the Patriot Guard Riders of Georgia, and Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills and his deputies including Deputy Tracey Pitocchelli (from Lake Oconee Elks Lodge). Putnam County Fire Services was also in attendance and assisted with a ladder truck and a fire engine.
After arriving at the Elks Lodge, the veterans were led through a flag honor line into Lake Oconee Elks Lodge. Lodge president John White welcomed everyone, followed by the invocation by Mary Zachary. Next came the Pledge of Allegiance and a rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner” by all in attendance at the luncheon.
James Lakeman, with SCI Georgia Chapter and a Lake Oconee Elk, gave an introduction of the Cast & Blast program and introduced the guest speaker Tommy Clack.
Clack was born and raised in Decatur. He attended the University of Houston on a track scholarship before leaving college in 1966 and volunteering with the Army. He spent more than three years in the Army, attaining the rank of xaptain, during his tour in Vietnam (with C/2/27 Infantry-Wolfhounds, of the 25th Division), as an Artillery FO (Forward Observer).
He was wounded on May 29, 1969, on the Cambodian border, losing three limbs, internal injuries and loss of hearing. He retired medically from the Army as a captain. He then spent 22 months in the Atlanta VA Medical Center, going through 33 operations. Since May 1969 he has survived 50 inpatient surgeries and an additional 16 outpatient surgeries.
During the presentation, the veterans enjoyed a lunch of Barbecue pork sandwiches, cole slaw, baked beans and a variety of cookies. After lunch, was the conclusion of this year’s Cast & Blast and everyone was wished a fond farewell.
