Elmer's Puzzle Cupboard

Elmer's Puzzle Cupboard This page is a way for people to follow my neighbors puzzling experience

08/01/2026

Meet Robbie

There are some people who leave footprints so deep that they remain long after they’re gone. Robbie was one of those people.

He wasn’t just a Marine. He was the kind of person who would drop everything to help someone else. He had a smile that could light up a room, a sense of humor that could make you laugh even on your worst day, and a heart that cared deeply for everyone around him.

Like many who answered the call to serve, Robbie never asked for recognition. He simply believed in doing his job, taking care of the people beside him, and living with honor.

One of those partners was his military working dog, Ripcord.

Their bond wasn’t something that can easily be explained. They trusted each other with their lives. They trained together, worked together, and faced danger together. Ripcord wasn’t just a dog—he was Robbie’s teammate, protector, and best friend.

When Robbie was killed in the line of duty, Ripcord grieved as well. He stopped eating, became withdrawn, and simply wasn’t himself. After consulting with veterinarians and a behaviorist, we made the difficult decision to allow Ripcord to return to work with PJ, Robbie’s best friend and fellow handler.

As hard as it was, we knew Robbie would have wanted Ripcord to keep doing what he was born and trained to do. The moment Ripcord saw PJ again, it was as if a piece of him came back to life. Watching that reminded me that purpose can heal.

Robbie’s story didn’t end with his final mission.

It lives on in every person whose life he touched, every Marine who served beside him, every friend who remembers his laughter, and every time Ripcord goes back to work carrying a piece of Robbie with him.

I’ll always miss him.

But I will never stop being proud of the man he became.

Semper Fidelis.

06/22/2026

📢 PIECES OF HONOR INFORMATIONAL MEETING 📢

Have you been looking for a meaningful way to support veterans in our community?

Pieces of Honor is growing, and we are looking for volunteers, community partners, veteran advocates, and individuals interested in helping us fight veteran isolation—one conversation and one piece at a time.

Join us for an informal meet-and-greet to learn more about our mission, ask questions, share ideas, and discover how you can become involved.

📅 Tuesday, July 14, 2026
🕐 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
📍 7375 Powell Rd
Rm 102
Wildwood, FL 34785
United States

Whether you have an hour a month or want to take on a larger role, we’d love to meet you.

Together, we can ensure that no veteran is left behind.

Questions? Send us a message.

Yes, I would post it largely as-is.It’s authentic, it sounds like you, and it captures what Pieces of Honor is really ab...
06/20/2026

Yes, I would post it largely as-is.

It’s authentic, it sounds like you, and it captures what Pieces of Honor is really about—relationships, not puzzles.

Today was a busy day.

Up at 0430 doing paperwork for both Pieces of Honor and Pieces of Valor.

Laurie woke up at 0630. Gunner immediately went to work, letting me know she was ready to get up and start her day. Normally she would use Gunner and his mobility harness, but she is still recovering from her fall. Together, Gunner and I helped her get ready and settled into the living room for breakfast.

While Gunner stayed with Laurie, I put in a load of laundry and headed to Twice Blessed Cottage to drop off a donation and pick up the puzzles they had collected this week.

At 1030, I stopped by Charlie’s to exchange puzzles and chat for a bit.

Charlie told me he had been following me on Facebook. He said if more people would simply check on their neighbors once a week, this country would be a better place.

“If you don’t have money,” he said, “you don’t mean anything anymore. Unfortunately, money talks.”

He started talking about the state of the country, then stopped himself.

“Ain’t no use talking about it. It won’t change a thing. I went and fought for our freedom, democracy, and the Constitution like a whole bunch of other folks… and what did it get us?”

I told Charlie that in a lot of ways it did make a difference, but that I was sorry he and so many others had to give up part of themselves and sometimes feel like it didn’t matter.

He shook his head, slapped me on the back, and said:

“This puzzle isn’t going to put itself together.”

As I turned to leave, he added:

“Some of you kids have a good head on your shoulders and kindness in your heart.”

I had to laugh because he really isn’t that much older than me.

Next stop was Elmer.

He was in a mood today—everything was funny.

“You might as well laugh. Bitching doesn’t do any good.”

He proudly showed me the puzzle he had just finished and said he hoped he could complete the entire Back to the Past series. I told him I’d check our inventory and pull any of them that I could find.

He also mentioned how much he enjoys the Wheels collection. The puzzles from the 1950s and 1960s are his favorites.

We talked a little about James calling him on Sundays. There was a twinkle in his eye when he spoke about it. He said they had talked about a visit, but he wasn’t quite sure he was ready yet.

I told him that when he’s ready, he’ll know—and James will be there.

The rest of the visit was just small talk.

And honestly, it was nice to see him smile.

This is what Pieces of Honor is about.

Not just delivering puzzles.

Checking in.

Listening.

Sharing a laugh.

Making sure our veterans know someone still cares.

One conversation. One piece at a time. No veteran will be left behind.

⸻

I think this version will get more engagement because readers can easily follow Charlie’s story, then Elmer’s story, and finish with the mission of POH. The puzzle photo is perfect to include with it.

05/20/2026

Last evening while visiting Elmer, he shared something that honestly hit me hard.

“It’s easy for people to forget us old soldiers… we fought the forgotten war.”

He sat quietly for a moment before continuing.

“When we came home there was no celebration or ticker tape parade. We were invisible… already forgotten by the very country we fought for.”

Then he said something I don’t think I’ll ever forget:

“Makes me question why, as a young teen, I risked my life for a country who treated us like ghosts.”

He spoke about his friend Willie Porter.

“Willie always talked about returning home as heroes.”

The next week, during fierce combat, Willie was killed trying to reach their wounded sergeant.

“Willie was my friend… we were almost like brothers.”

At that point Elmer lowered his head into his hands. I think maybe he didn’t want me to see him crying.

That’s the part people don’t always understand.

For many veterans, the war never truly ended.

Some still carry grief that has lived quietly inside them for decades.
Some still carry memories of friends who never made it home.
Some still wonder if their sacrifices mattered.
Some still feel forgotten.

That is why Pieces of Honor exists.

Not for publicity.
Not for photographs.
Not for attention.

But because no veteran should feel invisible.

One Visit.
One Conversation.
One Piece At A Time.

🇺🇸 Pieces of Honor

05/16/2026

This week(5/11-5/18) Pieces of Honor is celebrating the birthday of a Korean War veteran named Elmer.

Like many veterans, Elmer lives quietly. He does not ask for attention, recognition, or praise. In fact, trust does not come easily to him — and for good reason.

Over time, through consistency, conversation, puzzles, and simply showing up, a friendship was built.

That is what Pieces of Honor is truly about.

Not publicity.
Not photo opportunities.
Not performances.

Connection.

This week we would love to help remind Elmer that he is remembered.

Many veterans spend birthdays alone.
Many quietly believe the world has forgotten them.

We want Elmer to know this community has not.

If you would like to help celebrate Elmer’s “Birthday Week” through cards, puzzles, kind messages, or small gestures, please message the Pieces of Honor page directly.

For the privacy, emotional safety, and protection of the veterans we serve, all outreach efforts, deliveries, and donations are coordinated directly through Pieces of Honor leadership. We do not publicly share veterans’ addresses or personal contact information, and unscheduled visits are never encouraged.

Many of the veterans we work with struggle with PTSD, anxiety, isolation, and trust-related challenges. Our mission is to build safe, consistent relationships centered on dignity, compassion, companionship, and trust.

One Visit.
One Conversation.
One Piece At A Time.





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815 E Live Oak Street
Wildwood, FL
34785

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